The article discusses how liberal institutions are designed to recognize Palestinian oppression but fail to challenge the systems that produce it, highlighting instances involving Human Rights Watch and Médecins Sans Frontières.
The article from the American site Mondoweiss examines the design and functionality of liberal institutions regarding Palestinian oppression. It argues that while these institutions may recognize and document the violence affecting Palestinians, they do not adequately address the root causes of this oppression, particularly regarding Israeli settler colonialism. The author, Abdulqayoom Ahmed, emphasizes that the liberal framework allows for condemnation of genocidal acts in Gaza, yet fails to support the deeper Palestinian demands for decolonization.
Two specific incidents are highlighted to illustrate this point. The first event occurred in January when Médecins Sans Frontières initially agreed to share the names of their Palestinian staff with Israeli authorities in order to continue their operations in Gaza. This decision was met with outrage from Palestinians, who feared that such information would be used for surveillance, detention, and erasure. It wasn't until significant pressure was exerted that the organization reversed its decision.
These instances raise questions about the effectiveness and intentions of liberal organizations when addressing specific geopolitical crises like that in Palestine. The article suggests that instead of merely recognizing abuse, these institutions must actively engage with the complexities of colonialism and oppression to facilitate meaningful change for the Palestinians.
