The political discourse in Indonesia has intensified, even following the General Election held on February 14, 2024. Amidst this, public focus on the situation in Palestine has started to diminish. Citing Al-Jazeera, it’s reported that over 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip have been separated from their immediate families since the beginning of the Israeli occupation of the holy land of Palestine on October 7, 2023.
The death toll exceeds 28,000, including 12,000 children, marking four months of ongoing genocide by Israel against Palestine. In a dire measure, parents in Gaza have resorted to writing their children’s names on their bodies for identification in case they are wounded or killed by Zionist forces.
Israel’s brutality and cruelty have escalated, with the Rafah border – a crucial point for international aid entry and the last bastion of protection for Gaza’s citizens – becoming an Israeli attack target. On Monday (February 12, 2024), an Israeli strike on this location resulted in approximately 100 deaths, leaving over a million Palestinian residents trapped at the border.
Baca juga: Palestina Merdeka, Benarkah Pertanda Kiamat?
A multitude of humanitarian organizations persist in their calls for an end to Israel’s genocide. Beyond diplomatic efforts by international bodies or governments, ongoing support and solidarity are imperative.
Friends, the plight of Palestine is a humanitarian obligation for people worldwide. The denial of the right to life stands as the gravest crime and affront to human civilization. Silence and inaction are not options.
Supporting the Palestinian people can begin with simple acts, such as boycotting products associated with Israel. Arif R. Haryono, Head of the Disaster Management Center (DMC) at Dompet Dhuafa, highlights boycotting as an effective measure to impact the revenue of foreign franchises negatively and disrupt their economy. Contrary to potential losses, this strategy has benefited domestic markets, evidenced by the increased turnover of Indonesian SMEs.
Beyond advocating for boycotts, Dompet Dhuafa, in collaboration with the Indonesian Humanitarian Alliance (IHA), dispatched humanitarian aid to Palestine in November-December 2023. The joint team ventured to Egypt, undertaking various initiatives to streamline aid access to Gaza’s residents, including engagements with the Indonesian Embassy in Egypt.
Baca juga: Baitul Maqdis, Tanah Suci dan Kiblat Ketiga dalam Islam
Dompet Dhuafa remains committed to raising awareness through diverse aid programs, facilitating Indonesian citizens’ solidarity in any possible form. This includes a series of humanitarian campaigns, public forums with Palestinian volunteers and activists, health aid provisions, and large religious gatherings.
Dear Friends, the Palestinian people still urgently require the international community’s support, including from Indonesians. Dompet Dhuafa continues to welcome donations to assist the survival of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Donating is made simpler through the Dompet Dhuafa App (DD Apps) or by directly visiting the following link.