Sandy MaloneWashington, DC – Black Lives Matter announced its solidarity with Palestinians a week after Hamas terrorists on the Gaza strip began relentlessly attacking U.S. ally Israel.
“Black Lives Matter stands in solidarity with Palestinians. We are a movement committed to ending settler colonialism in all forms and will continue to advocate for Palestinian liberation. ( always have. And always will be ). #freepalestine,” the group tweeted on Monday.
The controversial anti-Israel group, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), tweeted its thanks to Black Lives Matter for their support and used a veiled reference to law enforcement in the United States.
“Thank you for your solidarity. From Ferguson to Palestine, our struggles against racism, white supremacy and for a just world are united!” BDS posted.
Thank you for your solidarity. From Ferguson to Palestine, our struggles against racism, white supremacy and for a just world are united!
— BDS movement (@BDSmovement) May 18, 2021
BDS has called for the U.S. to implement an economic embargo on Israel for years, FOX News reported.
The latest conflict erupted on May 10 when Hamas began hammering Israel with rockets after Israeli police and Palestinian protesters clashed at a sacred mosque important to both sides.
Israel has launched hundreds of counterattacks since then, but has not yet regained control of the region or put a stop to Hamas’ attack.
The country’s Iron Dome defense system was unable to stop a barrage of rockets from the Gaza strip from landing in Israel, FOX News reported.
At least 12 Israelis and 213 Palestinians have been killed in the past eight days since the conflict escalated.
And more than 100 Israelis and another 1,400 Palestinians have been wounded in the exchange, FOX News reported.
The number of Palestinians who have been killed included 61 children and 36 women.
But that is not surprising given that Hamas has historically used civilians to shield itself from attacks and has systematically placed military targets in buildings and areas that share space with them, FOX News reported.
It is also known for arming young children and using them as shields during attacks.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said they warn civilians on the West Bank before making strikes on Hamas facilities.
IDF put out a video on social media that explained how Palestinian children were being used to protect military targets.
“Israel fights to protect its civilians. Hamas uses civilians to protect itself,” the post was captioned.
“In the last nine days, Hamas and Islamic Jihad has misfired over 500 rockets which landed in Gaza, destroying homes, injuring dozens, and even killing their own civilians,” read the text over images of children walking amongst rubble.
Israel fights to protect its civilians.
Hamas uses civilians to protect itself. pic.twitter.com/J6WVye1Lqy— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 18, 2021
The video demonstrated how Hamas built its weapons factories, arsenals, and rocket launchers under mosques, schools, and hospitals.
But despite historic and video proof of Israel’s claims, multiple liberal Democrats in Congress and the national Black Lives Matter organization have come out in support of the Palestinians.
U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) completely ignored Hamas’ efforts to use women and children to further its terrorist efforts and has repeatedly condemned Israel on social media.
Bombing a school is a war crime. Bombing a hospital is a war crime. Bombing news outlets is a war crime. Firing rockets at civilians is *also* a war crime.
If we believe in human rights, we should hold anyone who commits war crimes fully accountable.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 19, 2021
Apartheid states aren’t democracies. https://t.co/0A6mbq6Fdo
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) May 15, 2021
The Black and Palestinian struggles for liberation are interconnected, and we will not let up until all of us are free.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) May 15, 2021
The rest of the progressive “Squad” has also attacked Israel and called for international intervention.
Holly Matkin
