- 'Even arranging funerals for those who lost their lives is a privilege,' Abuelaish tells Anadolu

ISTANBUL

The first Palestinian doctor in Israeli hospitals and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee has urged the international community to take more action to stop a potential genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

“(An attack on Gaza) means the death of hundreds, thousands of Palestinians. This is a crime against humanity. Silence in the face of injustice is also an injustice. I call on those who can stop this genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the entire world to take action,” said Izzeldin Abuelaish.

Abuelaish, who was a speaker at a panel organized by Istanbul Bilgi University titled, Breaking the Learned Silence and Speaking the Truth: Coping with Pressures in Palestine and Achieving Peace, shared his thoughts with Anadolu after the discussion.

“The situation in Gaza, under the silence, observation, and complicity of the world, is preventable but is only being watched,” he said. “Instead of just watching, they should stop Israel from committing this crime against Palestinians. We need to be proactive, not just reactive, in stopping this.”

In Gaza, even arranging funerals for the deceased is a privilege

Abuleish was asked about the government's decision to end the broadcasts of the Doha-based Al Jazeera television in Israel, shut down their offices and seize equipment.

He pointed out Israel's efforts to cover up what is happening in Gaza.

“No matter what they do, the world is an open book. The genocide, crimes, and atrocities in the Gaza Strip are evident. They cannot hide the truth. The truth will spread everywhere,” he said. “Even arranging funerals for those who lost their lives is a privilege. (People) are buried in the streets and their homes. You can find pieces of Palestinians' bodies on every street.”

Nowhere safe in Gaza

Abuelaish addressed Israel's demand for Gazans to evacuate Rafah.

“Churches, schools, and hospitals have been struck. Journalists, doctors, health care workers, humanitarian volunteers, and UN personnel have been targeted. No one and nowhere is safe.”

Abuelaish said Israel has been carrying out collective punishment in Gaza since the beginning, causing much of the enclave to turn into rubble.

“This is not a war against Hamas. It is a war against Palestinians, women and children,” he said.

'We need other countries to join Türkiye in exerting pressure on Israel'

Abuelaish evaluated Türkiye's efforts to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza.

“Türkiye has begun to turn its words into action by cutting trade with Israel. This is crucial. We need other countries to do more, to join Türkiye in exerting pressure on Israel,” said Abuelaish.

He highlighted the need for international pressure on Israel, emphasizing accountability, sanctions and collective action to end the situation.

Abuelaish also discussed what can be done to stop Israel, inviting those who want to react to Israel's attacks to join groups and to “think of the Palestinian people as fellow human beings.”