Biden’s ‘red line’ was Rafah. He even paused a shipment of weapons to Israel. Israel moved in anyway, taking control of the Rafah border crossing which means Palestinians in Gaza are officially cut off from aid and freedom of movement from all sides. But this action apparently doesn’t count as a “full-scale invasion” because the Biden administration has announced another $1 billion in military aid to be sent to Israel.
Make it make sense.
Meanwhile, the US is coordinating aid delivery through an expensive and inefficient floating pier off the coast of Gaza, where trucks are expected to arrive as of today. At its height, the operation can only facilitate 150 trucks per day and the Israeli military still controls its contents with inspection offices in Cyprus and again upon landing in Gaza. Land crossings are much more efficient and less costly, and there are hundreds of trucks lined up outside several land checkpoints into Gaza that could provide aid to Palestinians within minutes, but Israel refuses. What will change with this pier?
Make it make sense.
And while people is curly white wigs debate the meaning of genocide at the International Court of Justice today, Palestinians across Gaza are experiencing “full-blown famine” according to the head of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, where Palestinians who were ordered to evacuate from Rafah are too starved to walk.
Make it make sense.
These alternate realities are a little too much for my brain these days. The video mashups of the exorbitant wealth and eccentric costumes of the Met Gala contrasted with the death and destruction of Gaza eerily mirrored the not-so-fictional world of the Hunger Games series.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Hunger Games novels, a thrilling plot, a valiant cause, and of course, a love story, but I will never forget when the film became reality for me as I sat watching in the dark cinema alongside a friend and CPT partner. As a district member raised three fingers of resistance to Katniss after a brutal murder by the police state, tears welled as I distinctly felt the presence of my friend, who was at that moment in hiding after receiving death threats from paramilitary forces. It was chilling.
We make it make sense.
In the midst of chaos, horror, and the most frustrating of blatant lies and smokescreens, our relationships with one another validate our reality, solidify our commitments, and give us strength to continue the brace act of truth-telling. I will never forget that moment in the cinema and I can still feel the physical heartache—a fraction of her suffering—but this experience has only deepened my resolve. Our community of the three-finger salute of resistance is only growing. And the lies, distractions, and bureaucratic red tape will not last forever.
