The Gaza Strip
Lauren West
The Gaza Strip, a narrow strip of land along the Mediterranean coast, has been a focal point of contention in the complex web of Middle Eastern politics. The historical background, contemporary political landscape, and the human rights implications of the Gaza Strip conflict, underscore its profound impact on regional and global politics. Because of its influence on regional dynamics, international diplomacy, and humanitarian concerns, the narrow 25-mile-long stretch of land with only 141 square miles, has been consistently involved in turbulent and often violent conflicts over this religious land since it was created in 1948.
Jewish and Arab Muslim communities have inhabited the same region, considering it sacred since ancient eras. The city of Jerusalem holds deep religious significance for both Muslim and Jewish faiths. In 1948, when the State of Israel was officially declared by David Ben-Gurion, after World War II, it received immediate recognition from U.S. President Harry S. Truman. While the United States had previously supported the concept of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had assured Arab leaders that any U.S. involvement would consider the interests of both Jews and Arabs. The British, who held a mandate in Palestine, opposed the idea of both Jewish and Arab states in the region and favored maintaining good relations with the Arab. Despite initial hesitation and considering potential geopolitical implications, Truman's administration ultimately decided to recognize Israel as a state, culminating in this pivotal moment in history.
In 1967 during the Six-Day War, Israel emerged victorious over three Arab armies, expanding its territory to four times its original size, and assumed the position of the dominant military force in the region. This conflict marked a pivotal turning point for Israel, transitioning it from a nation struggling for its survival to an occupying force and a regional superpower.
On August 15, 2005, Israel implemented Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's proposal for a unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip and North Samaria. The primary objective of this plan was to enhance Israel's security and its global standing, especially in the absence of viable peace negotiations with the Palestinian authorities. However, the situation did not improve, and instead, Hamas, an Islamist Palestinian group, gained political control of the territory in 2007, further complicating the situation. Since then, the Gaza Strip has been subjected to a crippling blockade by Israel, which has had dire consequences for its residents.
The political landscape in the Gaza Strip is marred by a fundamental division between the Palestinian territories. The West Bank is governed by the Palestinian Authority (PA), led by Fatah, while Hamas governs the Gaza Strip. This division has hindered any prospect of a united Palestinian front in negotiations with Israel. The ongoing rivalry between Fatah and Hamas adds a layer of complexity to the political situation, as international efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution have been stymied by the internal discord.
The blockade of Gaza has had profound consequences for its population. The restriction of goods, services, and the free movement of people has resulted in severe economic hardships and high unemployment rates. The frequent conflicts between Hamas and Israel, often resulting in significant civilian casualties, have left the Gaza Strip in a state of perpetual instability.
The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is a deeply troubling aspect of the conflict. The imposition of the blockade has led to severe shortages of essential goods, including food, medicine, and clean water. The population of both Israelis and Arabs faces inadequate access to healthcare and education, contributing to high levels of poverty and suffering.
The recurring conflicts between Hamas and Israel have resulted in the loss of countless innocent lives, families have been murdered and tortured while children are being stolen. All while the disproportionate use of force and targeting of civilian infrastructure in densely populated areas have drawn condemnation from the international community and human rights organizations also trying to intervene in this long-standing conflict between the Arabs and the Israelis.
Understanding the Gaza Strip requires delving into an intricate conflict in contemporary politics. The Arab-Israeli conflict, of which the Gaza Strip is a crucial part, holds immense significance in the broader context of Middle Eastern and global politics. Examining its historical roots, the present-day political landscape, and the severe human rights implications underscores the multifaceted nature of this complex issue, shedding light on its profound impact on the lives of millions in the region.
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“What’s the Israel-Palestinian Conflict about and How Did It Start?” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 11 Oct. 2023, www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-palestinian-dispute-hinges-statehood-land-jerusalem-refugees-2023-10-10/.
amanda_m_macias. “Biden Will Visit Israel on Wednesday; 2,000 U.S. Troops Prep for Possible Deployment to Middle East.” CNBC, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2023, www.cnbc.com/2023/10/16/israel-hamas-war-updates-latest-news-on-gaza.html#:~:text=The%20Gaza%20Strip%20has%20been,of%20Palestinian%20militant%20group%20Hamas.
“Gaza Strip in Maps: What It’s like for the People Who Live There.” BBC News, BBC, 21 Oct. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-20415675.
The Homophobic Past of Chick-Fil-A
Written by Heaven Odom '25 and Talia Horsted '24
We all know of Chick-Fil-A, a very loved lunch in our SGS community and even around the world, but has anyone looked into Chick-Fil-A's past? I would assume not because a lot of students have signed up for Chick-Fil-A without knowing about the extreme homophobia within the franchise. Hopefully this article will shed some light on just how hateful Chick-Fil-A is.
First, let’s talk about the former CEO of Chick-Fil-A, Dan Truett Cathy. In 2012, Dan T. Cathy made several remarks related to same sex marriage and his views on it. He told The Baptist Press that he’s, “Guilty as charged” and is supportive of the biblical definition of a family. Though we strongly believe everyone has a right to their own opinion, we don’t believe an opinion should be actively harming a specific group of individuals, which is exactly what Cathy did. Unfortunately, his beliefs didn’t just stop at words. Chick-Fil-A has been donating to anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups for years, giving away over 5 million dollars to groups that pride themselves on promoting the idea that gay people are pedophiles, should be criminalized, and then deported. Their donations didn’t just stop here, the WinShape Foundation (which is run by Chick-Fil-A's owners) donated 21 million dollars to the National Christian Foundation. This foundation paid a preacher to travel to Uganda and teach about the horrors of homosexuality and why it’s not ok. The same preacher praised the Ugandan Parliament for passing the Sexual Offenses Bill, a bill that criminalizes same-sex relationships and puts Ugandans in jail for five years for committing same-sex acts. Though Chick-Fil-A claims they have stopped donating to these anti-LGBTQ+ organizations, this isn’t necessarily true. The franchise may have stopped donating, but the owner(s) surely didn’t, which is one way this franchise has been able to get away with the controversy surrounding this topic and their company.
If this hasn’t convinced you enough, here’s an explanation as to why these donations and the hate surrounding this company is so harmful. The donations that go to these anti-LGBTQ+ organizations are directly funding hatred, something we really don’t need more of in today's society. A hateful agenda being spread about individuals will eventually cause violence if enough people are against it, though we are already past the build-up to violence against this community. LGBTQ+ people have gone through years of systematic hate and a very well-loved fast-food franchise openly supporting that can only lead to bad things. Instead of Chick-Fil-A focusing on the loving and accepting aspect that is in Christianity, the company chose to promote homophobic ideologies and they shouldn’t be rewarded for that. Many students in our school believe we are a very loving and accepting community, but we are indirectly supporting homophobia if we continue to pay money to Chick-Fil-A through our lunches. This completely goes against what we believe in as a school and is harmful to many of our own students.
The homophobic ideologies of Chick-Fil-A have been ingrained into their company for years. Many people didn’t know about Chick-Fil-A's past, or how their donations are harmful and can lead to violence, which is why we wrote this article! Let’s all try to think more about where our money is going and if it’s truly worth it. Just some food for thought.
SOURCES
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chick-fil-a-5-reasons-it-isnt-what-you-think_b_1725237
https://temple-news.com/do-you-know-where-chickfila-dollars-going/