Palestine… The Old Died and the Young Did not Forget

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh

It is certain that the resistance in Gaza is the most important form of struggle at the present time and the most effective form regarding   the Palestinian situation. However, the Palestinian people's struggle against occupation and colonization predates Al-Aqsa Flood operation by more than 100 years, including thirty years under the British colonialism, euphemistically called "Mandate," and seventy-five subsequent years under the more abhorrent Zionist occupation.

This historical narrative is not merely a chronological account of past events; rather, it is a collective memory engraved in the consciousness of successive generations of Palestinians, a testimony to the spirit that refuses to submit to decades of injustice, oppression, and tyranny. It is a living legacy passed down from generation to generation, a testament to the steadfast commitment to justice and the restoration of their legitimate rights.

The fourth Palestinian generation, those born in the aftermath of their ancestors' displacement, have proven that their connection to Palestine transcends all borders. Contrary to Israel's failed hopes that "the old will die and the young will forget," this generation challenged the idea of collective memory loss, when They embraced their Palestinian identity and history, weaving it into the fabric of their existence even when separated by decades from the actual displacement tragedy. This concept, based on the assumption that time undermines the memory of injustice, has been proven  totally false in the face of a resilient generation unwilling to abandon the stories passed down through generations.

Al-Aqsa Flood operation remains truly a compass pointing to a noteworthy shift in the strategies employed by the Palestinian people in their ongoing resistance. It signifies the ability to utilize non-traditional means to confront the challenges posed by the war machine and oppression enforced by the Zionist enemy. 

Therefore, the events of October 7 cannot be viewed in isolation from a comprehensive understanding of the broader context of liberation struggle against colonialism, foreign occupation, and racial segregation throughout modern history. This is a universal truth - wherever there is oppression, there emerges a persistent determination to regain independence and dignity.

The international community and humanitarian causes advocates must stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle against the longest occupation in modern history by a single occupying authority. It is essential to recognize that the pursuit of liberation is a common humanitarian endeavor that paves the way for a world where security and stability are rooted in justice, equality, and collective aspirations for freedom.

For us, Palestine is not just a distant memory; rather, it is a living presence in our consciousness, and a shared commitment as a nation determined to preserve its identity and reclaim the homeland, even from a distance that far.