Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) has joined a multi-faith delegation to Palestine and Israel to advocate for peace and justice in a region marked by escalating violence and oppression. Our participation is driven not only by our commitment to standing with marginalized communities but also by the troubling complicity of the Indian government and the growing alignment between Hindutva and Zionism. This trip is a crucial part of our efforts to amplify the voices of the Palestinian people and push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Unfortunately, our UK Director, Rajiv Sinha, was denied entry into Israel, reflecting the increasing challenges faced by human rights defenders in the region. However, our Executive Director, Sunita Viswanath, has successfully entered Palestine and is actively engaged in solidarity work on the ground.
This week as Hindus worldwide celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, Sunita’s reflections on the now ten month genocide on Gaza —often described as the world's largest open-air prison—will offer insights into the parallels between the ancient struggle of Lord Krishna, born in a jail to unjustly imprisoned parents, against tyranny and the ongoing fight for freedom in Palestine. She offers these reflections to Hindu readers yearning to connect the stories and religious tenets we are raised with to the unjust world we live in, and find our own role and purpose.
Hindus for Human Rights joins Rabbis for Ceasefire’s multi-faith delegation to the West Bank and Israel. This delegation, which aims to intensify pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza, includes HfHR’s own Sunita Viswanath, Rajiv Sinha, and our Burmese brother Maung Zarni, alongside Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist leaders. The delegation is in Palestine to stand witness, show love, and listen to the Palestinian people. Our presence here is a testament to the power of international solidarity—if the divine is in everyone of us, then surely she resides in Palestine. Our faith and our humanity requires us to go beyond the prayer and protest we’ve all been engaged in since Oct 7th, and for most of us, for our entire lives. We are here to hold people’s hands, look into their eyes and let them know that the whole world cares for them; and will keep fighting till the bombs stop falling, and steps are taken to ensure peace and justice.
Trip Coincides with Revelation by Btselem That Since 10/7, Israel’s Prison System Has Become a Network of Torture Camps
In an effort to intensify pressure for a Gaza ceasefire and to stop Israeli settlers from continuing their expansion campaign by attacking West Bank Palestinian villages, U.S. Rabbis for Ceasefire in collaboration with Christians for Ceasefire and Sabeel, have brought HfHR part of its multi-faith delegation of American rabbis, pastors, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist community leaders to the West Bank and Israel. A full list of attendees and bios can be found here. The delegation will meet with Palestinians in the West Bank and Israel, and with Jewish Israelis who support Palestinian demands.
Extremist right-wing ministers in the Netanyahu cabinet, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have been arming settlers and encouraging them to terrorize Palestinian villages. Smotrich was recently called out by Biden Administration spokesperson, John Kirby, for undermining ceasefire negotiations. According to the Jerusalem Post, Shin Bet’s Director Ronen Bar wrote to Israeli PM Netanyahu that “recent Jewish terror actions, such as the massive attack on the northern West Bank Palestinian village of Jit, have put the country on the brink of disaster.” He added, “…it must be called Jewish terror, especially because the goal is to enforce broad oppression over another minority group….” Finally, he observed, “this process is harming the fabric of Israeli society domestically and endangering support for the Jewish state globally, even among its allies.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/shin-bet-chief-to-netanyahu-jewish-terror-in-west-bank-on-brink-of-disaster/ar-AA1pgmRY
As long as there is no ceasefire in Gaza, it will be impossible to tackle this problem effectively.
The trip also coincides with the revelation that since October 7th, Israel’s prison system has become a network of torture camps, according to Btselem, Israel’s leading human rights organization:
In response to confirmation of rape, some in the Israeli public are holding “Right to Rape” rallies in support of the soldiers who have committed sexual assault.
Israel’s military prosecutor recently stated that she only charged those soldiers "in order to save them from international scrutiny and the ICC." We are troubled by the embrace of Israeli military and government of sexual assault and torture and the complete dehumanization of Palestinians throughout Israeli society.
US Rabbis for Ceasefire’s partner on the ground, Sabeel, a Palestinian Christian Liberation Theology Center based in Jerusalem urged us to come saying: “Historically, the presence of the international community reduces violence, provides courage to those under threat, and helps us articulate our stories better. We believe the power of international presence still works.”
Hindus for Human Rights is committed to not just mouthing, but living the value of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one sacred family). Our participation in this delegation reaffirms our dedication to fighting oppression and ensuring that the voices of the marginalized are heard. We will continue to amplify the stories and struggles of the Palestinian people, drawing from our own traditions of resistance and resilience as we work towards a future where all people are free from tyranny and violence.
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