The Jan. 16 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has brought a sigh of relief to the world, but the violence that led to it will not be forgotten. The ceasefire has allowed hostages and prisoners to be returned, a critical step in the peace process. In history class, learning about wars like the French Revolution, World War I and World War II—where people fought for sovereignty and basic human rights—I often think about how many innocent lives were lost in these conflicts. The conflict between Israel and Palestine draws many similarities with the wars I have learned about that were fought over sovereignty. A ceasefire gives a temporary break, but how long will it last?
Throughout this war, I have supported Palestine, not as an endorsement of Hamas or violence, but for the people of Palestine. Alleviating the suffering of Palestinians is, in my view, a moral imperative that demands the world’s attention and action. GDS encourages critical thinking and social responsibility, and those values have shaped my perspective on the conflict. We are taught to stand up for injustice and help the oppressed. The images of children in Gaza—homes reduced to rubble, lives upended, many dead—are impossible to ignore. As long as any part of Palestine—the West Bank and Gaza—does not have statehood and is not free from occupation, there can be no justice for Palestine.
It was not until a dinner conversation with my parents, when they asked me why I was so passionate about Palestine, that I finally said, “Because it feels like the people of Palestine do not have a choice of freedom.” To Palestinians in Gaza, daily life is a fight to survive. It is disheartening that people must still struggle for the fundamental rights of safety and sovereignty, rights that should be inherent to all. As a high schooler, I firmly believe in the universal value of freedom and justice, and I want to see a future where Palestinians or any other oppressed group of people can live with dignity, autonomy and peace.
After that discussion, the reason that my parents support Israel became clearer to me. They consider the situation from the political point of view, claiming how complicated it is to handle diplomacy and the peace negotiations process with land that has been fought over for thousands of years. I understand all of those arguments, but I cannot let go on the issue of fundamental human rights here.
For many years, the people of Gaza have lived under Israeli blockades that restrict the entry of gas, medicine and food. Life under these conditions is extremely hard. The West Bank suffers from brutal systemic oppression, with Palestinians facing a deep-rooted system that marginalizes them, denying autonomy, access to essential resources and the right to live without fear of violence and displacement. Israel is the homeland of Jewish people and it should continue to be so, but the people of Palestine also deserve to have a land which they control.
As high school students in the U.S., we are still learning about global conflicts, but we must recognize our country’s significant role in them. The U.S. has long been a close ally of Israel, providing billions in military aid each year. This financial support directly impacts the lives of those in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Americans, and students in a society that values justice and human rights, it is crucial we understand how our actions shape the world. These injustices are why I write about this issue—not as an observer, but as someone who is asserting our responsibility to understand and influence policies that affect millions both abroad and at home.
The injustices the people of Palestine face demand the notice of GDS students. According to the GDS website, GDS students graduate with “an abhorrence of bigotry and intolerance.” The recognition of Palestinian suffering and the fight for their rights is not just an ethical obligation but a crucial test for the GDS community’s commitment to justice and human dignity in the face of oppression.
Israel has every right to defend itself from terrorism; I am not questioning that. But the scale and manner of the response have been alarming. Over 46 thousand Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7 2023, many of whom are women and children, and destruction of critical infrastructure in Gaza has made life there unbearable. (This is the death toll reported by the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Ministry of Health, though new research by The Lancet medical journal has shown a likely under-reporting of deaths by about 41 percent.)
Hamas also has a big role in the death count of not only Israelis, but also Palestinans. Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields, positioning military assets in civilian areas, which increases the risk to innocent lives and exacerbates the violence. Their actions prioritize terrorist goals over the safety and well-being of the very people they claim to represent. Hamas and Israel both put their respective political and military objectives above the lives of Palestines.
Since Oct. 7, listening to diverse perspectives at GDS has been critical in my understanding of the conflict. One friend, who’s family is Israeli, said she knew a person who died under buildings that were blown up. Her story was a reminder that Israelis too live with steady anxiety and loss—over 1,200 Israelis were murdered on Oct. 7. Yet hearing her did not weaken my conviction that the status quo is not sustainable. I understand her pain, but both realities can exist simultaneously.
The Jan. 16 ceasefire offers a chance for real change, and it is crucial that we, as students, engage in this moment for Palestine’s freedom. As students in a community that values justice, we must confront the root causes of the denial of Palestinians’ basic human rights. As Americans, we must pressure Israel to lift the Gaza blockade, halt settlement expansion in the West Bank and recognize the Palestinians’ right to a sovereign state.
While high schoolers cannot directly end the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, we still have an important role to play. Decades of mistrust will not disappear overnight, but we can begin by fostering understanding, supporting justice and advocating for a future where both Palestinians and Israelis can live with dignity and peace.