Long-Distance Murder: The Silent Partners in Gaza's Tragedy
The Strange tale of killers a thousand miles away from the crime scene
Dr. Alaa, a Palestinian woman working at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, never made it home to her nine children one day. Instead, her children, wrapped in white shrouds, were brought to her at the hospital where she tirelessly treated the wounded. This heartbreaking scene is a stark reminder of the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, where over 50,000 people, including 30,000 women and children, have been killed in the last two years. The world watches as this unfolds, but the question remains: Who is truly responsible for this devastation?
While the Israeli regime and its leaders, like Netanyahu, bear the most direct responsibility, the culpability extends far beyond the borders of the conflict zone. There are others, living thousands of miles away, who are complicit in this bloodshed, perhaps without even realising it.
Partners in Crime: An Islamic Perspective
Islam places a heavy social responsibility on every human being. Prophet Muhammad (S) said,
"If a Muslim hears the cry of another Muslim calling for help and doesn’t respond, he isn’t a Muslim" (Kafi vol.2, p. 164).
This highlights the importance of standing up for justice and aiding those in need.
Imam Jawad (AS), whose martyrdom is commemorated, offers a profound insight into the nature of complicity:
"The person who commits oppression, the person who supports oppression, and the person who is pleased with oppression - all three are partners in that oppression" (Kashf al-Ghummah, vol.2, p. 348).
This perspective broadens the circle of responsibility, implicating not only the direct perpetrators but also those who enable and condone their actions.
Aiding and Abetting
The Imam's words compel us to examine who else has a hand in the massacre of Dr. Alaa’s children and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Besides the Israeli regime, all those who have supported it—financially, militarily, politically, or even through their silence—share in the crime. This includes countries such as the US and the UK, which supply Israel with bombs, and other nations that have paved the way for this massacre with their political and media support. Aiding oppression makes one a partner in it.
The Burden of Silence
But it doesn’t stop there. Imam Jawad (AS) continued,
“… and whoever is pleased with oppression is a partner in it too.”
This means that many people living far from the warzone, those who’ve heard the news of what’s happening, also have blood on their hands. And those who had the power to influence others but remained silent are even more responsible.
From celebrities in the arts and in sports who are role models for the youth to religious leaders of various faiths who are entrusted with guiding hearts but have failed to act, all these people will stand face-to face with Dr. Alaa’s nine martyred children one day. They will have to answer to God for how they helped carry out such a monstrous crime.
A Call to Action
Imam Jawad (AS), in his short but blessed life of 25 years, consistently stood up firmly for the truth and fought injustice. He was ultimately martyred on this very path. If we truly want to follow him, today’s lesson from his legacy is this: In no form—big or small—should we ever be partners in oppression. And with everything we have, we must work against it.
Do not oppress others,
Do not assist oppression,
And do not be pleased with it.
Source: Ali Reza Panahian