The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, 1948 and is regarded as a monumental step toward promoting global freedom and equality. Its goal was to establish a common standard for human rights that would apply to all people regardless of nationality, race, or religion in the wake of World War II. However, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been critiqued for its application which has historically favored Western powers and their geopolitical interests.
In addition to the adoption of the UDHR, 1948 saw the official implementation of apartheid in South Africa and the violent displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians during the Nakba. While the UDHR asserts the right to equality and freedom from racial discrimination, many Western countries were slow to condemn apartheid, and some even maintained economic and political ties with the regime in South Africa for decades. The international community’s delayed response to apartheid exemplified how Western interests sometimes overshadowed the universal application of human rights.
Similarly, the creation of Israel in 1948 led to the forced displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians. The UDHR guarantees the right to self-determination and protection from forced displacement, yet Western nations, particularly the United States, have historically supported Israel, often at the expense of Palestinian rights. The plight of Palestinians has been largely sidelined in global diplomacy, raising questions about the UDHR’s commitment to protecting all people equally. To make matters more tricky, there are no mechanisms in place to ensure that member states uphold the UDHR.
The UDHR’s flaws are also evident in the legacy of colonialism and imperialism. While the declaration champions the right to self-determination, many former colonial powers maintained political and economic dominance over their former colonies. Western nations frequently used their influence to shape the terms of decolonization in ways that preserved their economic interests.
The UN General Assembly consists of 193 member states and the UN Security Council consists of 15 member states, 5 of whom (including the United States) have veto power. This means that one member state can veto an action that is supported by the vast majority of the General Assembly. Historically, the United States has used its veto power many times to protect South Africa and Israel against past UN action. Apartheid in South Africa officially ended in 1994 in large part due to pressure from the international community.
The cost of Israel’s war on Gaza is tremendous and multidimensional. Officially, 41,700 innocent people have been killed — around half of them children. Approximately 1.9 million people, or 90% of Gaza’s population, have been displaced. In the first six months of war, over 70,000 tons of bombs were dropped creating over 40 million tons of rubble. It is estimated that there are over 10,000 bodies that remain unaccounted for, trapped under the rubble. As we mark the one year anniversary of Israel’s relentless and ongoing bombardment of Gaza, let us more closely examine the cost to Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure and the implications of its destruction.
Prior to October 7th, 2023, Gaza sustained a thriving agricultural infrastructure despite the land, air, and sea blockade imposed by Israel in 2007. In 2022, Gaza exported close to $45M in produce sales almost entirely to the West Bank (79% of exports) and Israel (19% of exports). Gaza’s main produce exports are strawberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers but many other crops are grown across Gaza such as olives. The deep connection that Palestinians share with the olive tree for its symbolic representation of resilience in the face of Israeli occupation alongside its many practical uses provide a key role for olives in the local economy. Over the past year, about 60% of Gaza’s farmland has been destroyed or damaged. Experts warn that Israel’s military hardware and extensive bombing will leave the soil infertile. This means that even after the bombs stop dropping, the people of Gaza will remain unable to feed themselves for many years.
Less than 4% of fresh water in Gaza is drinkable and proper hygiene and sanitation are nearly impossible. The United Nations and UNICEF estimate that the average person in Gaza has access to between 1 and 3 liters of water for day for all needs — this is between 5 and 10 times less than the amount of water needed to survive in emergency situations according to humanitarian standards. The shortage of food and water has contributed to the death of around 70% of livestock in Gaza, making it even more challenging for people to nourish themselves.
In 2021, Gaza produced approximately 4,700 tons of fish which is particularly impressive given that fishermen are only permitted to work within 12 nautical miles. Now, almost all of the boats in Gaza’s main fishing port have been destroyed and the pier is no longer functional. Fishermen who attempt to fish for food in the ocean risk being targeted and killed by Israeli forces who routinely open fire on people trying to find food on land as well as at sea. Not only has Israel restricted the access of humanitarian aid into Gaza, but they have also ensured that Gaza is unable to feed itself.
As of October 7th, 2024, Israel believes that there are still 97 of the total 251 hostages being held by Hamas, 64 of whom are believed to still be alive. Until there is a permanent ceasefire and tangible steps are taken toward peace, Israelis and Palestinians alike will continue to be unsafe. The active role of the United States in providing arms to Israel is not helping to stabilize the region — it is only contributing to violence.
Join Peace Action New York State (PANYS) for an online discussion on military recruitment practices targeting low-income and immigrant youth and how to respond with sustainable options.
Leading the discussion will be author Sofya Aptekar, an Associate Professor at CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. She will be joined by Ramón Mejía, National Organizer for the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance.
While the popular image of the US military is one of citizen soldiers protecting their country, the reality is that nearly 5 percent of all first-time military recruits are noncitizens. In Green Card Soldier, Sofya Aptekar talks to more than seventy noncitizen soldiers from twenty-three countries, including some who were displaced by conflict after the US military entered their homeland. Their stories—stitched through with colonial legacies, white supremacy, exploitation, and patriarchy—show how the tensions between deservingness and suspicion shape their enlistment, service, and identities.
Ramón Mejía enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 18 to support his family. His experience in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 led him to convert to Islam and develop into an outspoken advocate and organizer against U.S. wars and the growing militarization of our communities.
Giving voice to a little-heard group of immigrants, Green Card Soldier shines a cold light on the complex workings of US empire, globalized militarism, and citizenship. It highlights the need for united action to defend immigrant and LGBTQ rights, end white supremacy and promote anti-militarism.
The event fee is $25 for general admission, $10 for students and those on a low income. All proceeds to benefit the advocacy work of Peace Action New York State. Register here.
