By Justice Markandey Katju–
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of, Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own)There was another massacre in Gaza recently. Starving Gazans who crowded around an aid truck bringing in flour to distribute to the desperate hungry populace were slaughtered by Israeli troops.
After Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 last year, Israel mounted a massive air attack and then a ground invasion of Gaza, which is a small, densely populated strip of land with a population of a little over two million people, resulting in unprecedented destruction of lives, homes, hospitals, and property.
In this war that has lasted five months, over 30,000 Gazans have been killed so far, of which over 13,000 were children and about 8,800 women. The number of injured exceeds 70,000, and 11,000 are in critical condition. The atrocities seem never ending. Even aid trucks bringing in vital supplies like food and medicines are attacked.
Many Gazans have starved to death. Most Gazans, 75% of whom were refugees, have been forced to flee from their homes. And yet the world looks on, by and large indifferent, apathetic, callous and unconcerned about these horrors.
The International Court of Justice, mostly composed of judges from pro-Israeli countries, which was approached by the South African government in this connection, has proved to be largely ineffective, not even calling for a ceasefire.
This reminds one of the plight of Jews under Nazi rule. Even then, the world community largely turned a blind eye, not even imposing financial sanctions, and in fact even adopting a policy of appeasement (Munich Conference, 1938). As long as their own financial interests were not affected, no one cared.
The same seems to be the plight of the people of Gaza. Even the heavens are crying out at these horrendous, bloodcurdling atrocities, which seem to be never-ending, but most people around the world are unconcerned.
