Note from LeftEast editors. With the permission of Lithuanian left portal Chat GPB we reprint this interview of GPB’s Tadas Janusauskas with Palestinian journalist Quassem Ali. The interview deals with subjects we rarely get to hear about: the daily lives and choices for those inside and those who left the hell of the war and decade-long life in an open-air prison; and why this war is different from anything else that Quassem who grew up in Gaza had so far experienced. The conversation is part of the chat GPB‘s podcast series , which you can follow on their Youtube channel or chat GPB | Podcast on Spotify.
For Qassem Ali, the conflict began in his childhood and continues to this day. A couple of weeks ago, Qassem fled Gaza, leaving behind his mother and sister, a house that has been destroyed for the third time, and the bodies of his relatives, who have been lying in the rubble for a month and a half now.
After the 7th of October attack on Israel, Lithuanian politicians and media joined the „civilisational war“ against Hamas. In the first weeks of the so-called war, almost unquestioned support for Israel was expressed at every hour, by every possible means. The Palestinians were mentioned as a number, and the occupation and the blockade were only in passing. Any attempt to recall the history prior to 7th of October or to talk about the disproportionate loss of civilian life was, and still is, attempted to be dismissed by the accusation of antisemitism and/or support for Hamas.
But the conflict did not start in October. For Qassem Ali, the conflict began in his childhood and continues to this day. A couple of weeks ago, Qassem fled Gaza, leaving behind his mother and sister, a house that has been destroyed for the third time, and the bodies of his relatives, who have been lying in the rubble for a month and a half now. As he says, this war is not against Hamas. This war is against everything that is alive in Gaza, and even against the sands of it. Destroying Hamas does not destroy the idea of resistance, because ideas cannot be destroyed by weapons.
Until Gaza and the Palestinians are free, the whole world will suffer.