“Unserved Youth of Gaza Take Action Against Hamas Despite Lack of Support from Aid Groups, UN

Young Generation of Anti-Hamas Activists in Gaza Step Up to Serve, but are Snubbed by UN-Aid Groups In the war-torn Gaza strip, a new and promising generation of young activists has stepped up to make a difference, but they are being stymied in their attempts to bring meaningful change to the region. The group is comprised of students, educators, and professionals who believe that ending the conflict in Gaza requires more than just passing ceasefires and regulating Hamas and the Israeli government’s activities; it requires a grassroots movement of citizens that can peacefully argue for long-term change. These activists are not aligned with any one faction or party. Instead, they want to advance a two-state solution that is agreeable to both sides. In particular, they are working tirelessly to bring peace to the region and are not hampered by fears of Hamas or other military forces. This group’s core belief is that peace should be achieved through dialogue and not by force. Their main demand is for a “Two-state Solution and an end to the occupation.” Unfortunately, their efforts are being actively snubbed and discouraged by the UN and other international aid organizations. The United Nations and other international organizations are more likely to work with unrealistically hopeful Hamas negotiators, rather than to invest in the viable and realistic solutions that these activists are proposing. Without the proper support, the activists’ campaign to peacefully establish a two-state solution and end the occupation has been stonewalled. In addition, the powerful forces that dominate the Hamas and Israeli governments have invested heavily in polarizing and blinding local citizens to the issues at hand. The international aid organizations that have the power and resources to pressure both governments to compromise on a two-state solution have remained largely silent. The young activists of the Gaza strip understand that the unhelpful political maneuvering of the past must end in order for true and lasting peace to be established. The international community must wake up to the reality that revolution is being actively driven by non-violent citizens and that there must occur a sincere investment of faith and resources into these citizen-level dialogues before any lasting peace can be achieved. The brave young activists of Gaza are advocating for the most realistic solution to the conflicts in the region, and they simply need an international support system to back their critical endeavor. It is time for the international community to recognize their initiative and recognize that these activists may hold the key to a long-term peace in the region.