Representatives from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt with the involvement of Israel agreed to a possible “framework” that would include a six-week cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war that is devastating the Gaza Strip and the release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel at a one to three ratio. The prisoner swap would start with the release by Hamas of older hostages, people who are injured or sick, women, and children. A spokesperson for Hamas said the group was considering the framework but wants included a plan for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reconstruction of Gaza, and lifting the Israeli blockade of the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already rejected the idea of an Israeli troop pullout.
There is growing pressure for a cease fire in the Middle East war from a number of sources in the United States. The Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts City Councils unanimously passed resolutions calling for a cease fire. In Chicago, hundreds of high school students walked out last week protesting the Israel-Hamas war and calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
The Executive Council of the American Federation of Teachers representing over 1.7 million educators in the United States unanimously passed a resolution calling for the end of the Israel-Hamas war, a cease fire, immediate aid for distressed Palestinians in Gaza, and steps toward a two-state solution that recognizes the right of Israeli and Palestinian self-determination. The resolution included a condemnation of “all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia” and a commitment to ensuring “that our workplaces are safe, and free from fear of hate and bigotry. The AFT wants to ensure “the United States remains a place where all people are safe to express dissent—in their communities, and on their streets and campuses. The conflict should not be used as an excuse to wage political attacks on American colleges and universities, or as a pretext to undermine necessary efforts to increase diversity, promote equity and advance inclusion.” The resolution also condemned obstacles to peace from Hamas and the Netanyahu led government in Israel.
Responding to criticism that the New York City Department of Education had advised teachers to avoid involving students in discussion of the war between Israel and Hamas, Chancellor David Banks announced that the school system would now encourage schools to address antisemitism and Islamophobia. In the Bronx, student Nathaniel Collazo of Alfred E. Smith High School wrote Congressional Representative Ritchie Torres calling on him to support calls for a cease fire. Collazo was deeply concerned about the role of the United States in the war including supplying weapons that have been used to bomb cities in Gaza. He cited a United Nations General Assembly vote of 120 to 17 in support cease fire. Collazo ask Torres to support restrictions on how other countries can use weapons supplied by the United States and American corporations. He concluded by noting that he would be a registered voter in the next election and offering to volunteer to work with Torres to achieve these goals.
Whatever you opinion on the Middle East war, it is important that young people are getting involved in discussion and as future voters.