Are we all guilty? A crisis is happening today in Gaza (and many other places), say human rights workers. World leaders have failed to stop it. Do we all bear some of the blame?
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'A catastrophe unfolding before our eyes’
Are we all guilty? A crisis is happening today in Gaza (and many other places), say human rights workers. World leaders have failed to stop it. Do we all bear some of the blame?
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What's happening?
Here is the situation in GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. as this story is being written, on Sunday night. Doctors in Gaza are reporting that IsraelA country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land. has told them to evacuate a major hospital. They say it is "impossible". The bombs keep falling.
In 1949, nations from around the world sat down together to agree on a set of rules for war. They wanted to make sure that war harmed the least number of people possible.
According to the United NationsAn international organisation focused on keeping peace. Its refugee agency, the UNHCR, aims to assist refugees around the world. and other experts, war crimes are taking place in this conflictA state of disagreement when there is a difference of interests, values or goals..1
But lawyer Guglielmo Verdirame says this is a very complicated issue. Countries are allowed to defend themselves - as long as it is "proportionateSomething that is in balance to or fits its size. ". Not everyone agrees on what this should mean.
Find out more
Palestine and Israel are not the only places in the world where war crimes are claimed to be taking place. The conflict in UkraineA country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022. has seen a number of accusationsClaims that someone has done something wrong. of war crimes - as have conflicts in Ethiopia, Yemen and Myanmar.
Western leaders have given moral support to the war in Gaza. "I'm sure innocentsPeople who have done nothing wrong. have been killed (in Gaza)," added US president Joe Biden, "and it's the price of waging a war".3
Eighty-one million Americans voted for Biden in 2020. Should the people of America take on responsibilityWhen you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone. for his words?
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Are we all guilty?
Yes! People around the world vote for their leaders. These leaders have not stopped terrible things from happening.
No! No person is responsible for the things that the leaders of a country do. Many people are very upset by what is happening in Gaza and Israel.
Keywords
Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
United Nations - An international organisation focused on keeping peace. Its refugee agency, the UNHCR, aims to assist refugees around the world.
Conflict - A state of disagreement when there is a difference of interests, values or goals.
Proportionate - Something that is in balance to or fits its size.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Accusations - Claims that someone has done something wrong.
Innocents - People who have done nothing wrong.
Responsibility - When you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone.
‘A catastrophe unfolding before our eyes’
Hell on Earth: UN Secretary General António Guterres spoke out over the weekend. Glossary
Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
United Nations - An international organisation focused on keeping peace. Its refugee agency, the UNHCR, aims to assist refugees around the world.
Conflict - A state of disagreement when there is a difference of interests, values or goals.
Proportionate - Something that is in balance to or fits its size.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Accusations - Claims that someone has done something wrong.
Innocents - People who have done nothing wrong.
Responsibility - When you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone.