## Is “Normal” Just Another Word for Oppression?
Instagram, where we curate our perfect lives, is a world away from the reality faced by Palestinians. But what if the digital landscape blurred with the harsh realities of occupation? Al Jazeera English recently challenged us to confront this chilling question: “The world must not accept the ‘new normal’ in Palestine.”
Their words are a wake-up call, forcing us to ask: what does it truly mean to accept a “new normal” built on checkpoints, displacement, and the systematic erosion of basic human rights? This isn’t just about politics; it’s about the human cost of a reality where normalcy is defined by injustice.
The Need for a New Global Order
The current international system is failing to uphold its core principles, and a new, fairer system must be built to prioritize the needs and rights of the global majority.
The Crisis of the Current International System
Our world is in a spiral of crises, with conventional threats such as famine, drought, civil war, and genocide continuing to loom over humanity in many parts of the world. The race to assume control of new phenomena that have the potential to change the world, such as novel communications and weapons technologies, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrencies, is also gaining pace and posing new threats to our collective wellbeing.
The current “rules-based international order,” which was established in the aftermath of World War II to increase global cooperation, generate economic prosperity, prevent wars, and ensure stability, equality, and justice, is struggling to navigate these complex challenges and falling short of preventing violations of its founding principles.
A state of irregularity, which benefits only a handful of powerful countries and interest groups while spelling catastrophe for the masses, is close to becoming the new normal of the global order. Therefore, it is now not a preference but an obligation to make comprehensive reforms to the system to prevent this scenario from becoming reality.
We need a fairer, more stable, and just world order. Today, certain states are stomping on the rules, norms, and values at the very heart of the established international system with little care for the far-reaching consequences of their actions. Israel’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon and Palestine are the most striking examples of such blatant violations.
China’s Role in Shaping the Middle East and Beyond
China’s Growing Influence in the Middle East
China has become a key player in the region, with significant economic and strategic interests. China has a long history of supporting the Palestinian cause and has been a staunch supporter of Arab people’s quest for national liberation.
China’s growing influence in the Middle East is driven by its economic interests, including its trade relations with Arab countries and its investment in the region. China is now the top trading partner of 10 Arab countries, and its two-way trade with the region exceeds $200 billion.
China’s involvement in the Middle East is also driven by its strategic interests, including its desire to secure energy supplies and to expand its influence in the region. China is a major consumer of oil and gas, and the Middle East is a key supplier of these resources.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a major driver of its engagement in the Middle East. The BRI is a massive infrastructure project that aims to connect China with other parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa through a network of roads, railways, and sea routes.
Building a Fairer and More Just World
The G20’s Role in Shaping the Global Agenda
The G20 has the potential to drive meaningful change and build a more equitable international system. However, it must prioritize the needs and interests of the global majority.
The G20 summit in Brazil under the theme “Building a Fairer World and a Sustainable Future” highlighted the need for a new approach to international relations that prioritizes justice, understanding, and cooperation.
The G20 has the potential to address the complex challenges facing the world, from conflict and poverty to climate change and inequality. However, it must work together to build a more stable global financial system and to promote economic growth and development.
The G20 must also prioritize the needs and interests of the global majority, including the poorest and most vulnerable countries and communities. This requires a new approach to international relations that prioritizes cooperation and mutual understanding over competition and conflict.
China’s Vision for a More Democratic International Order
China’s Role in Shaping the International Agenda
China is advocating for a more inclusive and equitable international system. However, its own human rights record and approach to international relations raise questions about its commitment to these values.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has the potential to bring economic benefits and stability to the region. However, its success depends on the ability of participating countries to work together and prioritize the needs of their citizens.
China’s vision for a more democratic international order is driven by its desire to promote economic development and stability in the region. However, its approach to international relations must prioritize cooperation and mutual understanding over competition and conflict.
The international community must work together to build a more stable and equitable international system. This requires a new approach to international relations that prioritizes justice, understanding, and cooperation.
A New Era of International Relations
The Importance of International Cooperation
The global community must work together to address the complex challenges facing the world, from conflict and poverty to climate change and inequality.
International cooperation is essential for building a more stable and equitable international system. This requires a new approach to international relations that prioritizes cooperation and mutual understanding over competition and conflict.
The international community must work together to address the complex challenges facing the world, including conflict, poverty, climate change, and inequality.
A new era of international relations is possible, one that prioritizes justice, understanding, and cooperation. This requires a new approach to international relations that prioritizes cooperation and mutual understanding over competition and conflict.
Children in Conflict Zones
The Devastating Impact of Conflict on Children
More children than ever have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, according to UNICEF. About 473 million, or more than one in six children, are estimated to live in conflict areas worldwide.
The conflict in Gaza has had a devastating impact on children, with at least 17,492 children reportedly killed in nearly 15 months of conflict. Children in Gaza are cold, sick, and traumatized, with many forced to search through rubbish for provisions and plagued by diseases.
UNICEF has reported that a child growing up in a conflict zone is far more likely to be out of school, malnourished, or forced from their home compared with a child living in places with no conflict.
The international community must work together to address the complex challenges facing children in conflict zones. This requires a new approach to international relations that prioritizes cooperation and mutual understanding over competition and conflict.
China’s Role in the Middle East
China’s Growing Influence in the Region
China has become a key player in the Middle East, with significant economic and strategic interests. China has a long history of supporting the Palestinian cause and has been a staunch supporter of Arab people’s quest for national liberation.
China’s growing influence in the Middle East is driven by its economic interests, including its trade relations with Arab countries and its investment in the region. China is now the top trading partner of 10 Arab countries, and its two-way trade with the region exceeds $200 billion.
China’s involvement in the Middle East is also driven by its strategic interests, including its desire to secure energy supplies and to expand its influence in the region. China is a major consumer of oil and gas, and the Middle East is a key supplier of these resources.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a major driver of its engagement in the Middle East. The BRI is a massive infrastructure project that aims to connect China with other parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa through a network of roads, railways, and sea routes.
The Future of International Relations
A New Era of Cooperation and Mutual Understanding
The future of international relations is uncertain, but one thing is clear: a new era of cooperation and mutual understanding is possible.
The international community must work together to build a more stable and equitable international system. This requires a new approach to international relations that prioritizes cooperation and mutual understanding over competition and conflict.
A new era of international relations is possible, one that prioritizes justice, understanding, and cooperation. This requires a new approach to international relations that prioritizes cooperation and mutual understanding over competition and conflict.
The future of international relations is in our hands. We must work together to build a more stable and equitable international system, one that prioritizes cooperation and mutual understanding over competition and conflict.
Conclusion
Conclusion: Refusing to Accept the ‘New Normal’ in Palestine
The article “The world must not accept the ‘new normal’ in Palestine” by Al Jazeera English serves as a poignant reminder of the dire human rights situation in the occupied territories. The piece highlights the dehumanizing effects of Israel’s prolonged occupation, where Palestinians are subjected to systemic oppression, segregation, and violence. The key points of the article emphasize the importance of recognizing the inherent dignity of the Palestinian people, challenging the notion of a ‘new normal’ that perpetuates their suffering, and advocating for a fundamental shift in the international community’s stance on the issue.
The significance of this topic cannot be overstated. The ‘new normal’ in Palestine has far-reaching implications for human rights, international law, and global justice. The normalization of occupation and apartheid has created a culture of impunity, emboldening Israel to further entrench its oppressive regime. If the world fails to reject this ‘new normal,’ it will legitimize the suffering of Palestinians, undermine the principles of equality and justice, and perpetuate a cycle of violence that has ravaged the region for decades. The article’s call to action serves as a stark warning: if we fail to challenge the status quo, we risk becoming complicit in the erasure of Palestinian identity and the destruction of their future.
As we reflect on the urgent need to reject the ‘new normal’ in Palestine, we are left with a profound question: what will it take for the world to recognize the humanity of the Palestinian people? Will it take the continued displacement of families, the destruction of their homes, and the loss of their livelihoods? Or will it take a collective awakening to the moral imperative that demands justice, equality, and human rights for all? The world must not accept the ‘new normal’ in Palestine. It is time for a revolution of conscience, where we choose to stand with the oppressed, to amplify their voices, and to fight for their freedom. The future of Palestine, and indeed the future of humanity, depends on it.