Our duty as Bosniaks to stand for Gaza : Analysis

The city is filled with the sound of gunfire and explosions as bombs destroy homes, schools, and marketplaces. Health workers in barely functioning hospitals struggle to care for the injured, most of whom are children. The situation in Gaza is reminiscent of the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, with Palestinians facing a similar catastrophe. While Israel claims their actions are directed at Hamas and not the civilian population, the reality tells a different story. Israel’s relentless offensive has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, the displacement of many more, and an erasure of Palestinian life and heritage in Gaza. This is not self-defense – it is genocide.

Drawing a parallel to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia’s ruling on the events in Srebrenica in 1995, where more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were targeted and killed, it becomes evident that Israel’s actions in Gaza share similarities. The deliberate targeting of highly populated residential areas, hospitals, and United Nations schools that shelter displaced civilians is evidence of a desire to eliminate at least a part of the population in Gaza.

While it is undeniable that crimes were committed by Hamas in southern Israel, it is important to acknowledge that Israel’s response, the ongoing oppression and dispossession of Palestinians, cannot be justified either. As a survivor of the Bosnian war, who has experienced firsthand the consequences of international silence in the face of war crimes, it is crucial to condemn what Israel is doing to the people of Gaza.

It is heartening to see ordinary Bosnians standing in solidarity with the people of Gaza, as reflected by the sea of Palestinian flags during protests in Sarajevo. However, not all Bosnians share this sentiment. Emir Suljagic, the director of Srebrenica Memorial Centre, has chosen not to condemn Israel’s assault on Gaza, stating that it is “not our battle.” This stance is perplexing and disappointing, as it fails to acknowledge the war crimes committed against Palestinian civilians. It is essential to speak up against all war crimes and not sacrifice the work of the memorial center for any agenda.

There are suggestions that Suljagic’s unconditional support for Israel might be influenced by his collaboration with pro-Israel groups. However, by remaining silent on the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza, Suljagic betrays the lessons learned from the Srebrenica genocide. Drawing a false equivalence between Hamas and the perpetrators of the Srebrenica genocide undermines the gravity of the crimes committed against Bosnians.

Comparing the crimes committed by Chetniks during the Bosnian war to Hamas’s actions on October 7, it becomes clear that there is no comparison. The crimes committed against civilians by Chetniks were systemic and widespread, resulting in the genocide of Bosniaks. In contrast, only one party in the Israel-Palestine conflict has committed crimes against civilians of comparable magnitude: Israel.

Suljagic’s refusal to acknowledge Israel’s occupation, apartheid, and ongoing genocide reflects an “I’m alright, Jack” attitude. This attitude suggests that Bosnians can turn a blind eye to genocide as long as certain conditions are met. This is contradictory to the commitment to ensure genocide does not happen again. It is imperative to demand an end to the current war, as well as an end to the occupation and apartheid. Palestinians should be allowed to live freely and with dignity on their own land.

For the sake of the Palestinian people and humanity’s collective future, it is essential for all those who recognize the ongoing genocide in Gaza to speak up and demand an end to this atrocity. As individuals who have experienced war, genocide, and oppression, there is a duty to support the struggle for liberation and advocate for justice, even if it means upsetting allies and friends. In the words of Martin Luther King, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Source: Aljazeera news: As Bosniaks, we have a duty to speak up for Gaza