War zone: Palestine

TIFFIN — On Thursday evening, members of the community gathered at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library to listen to a program titled "Let's Talk Palestine," presented by Youseff Baddar and Jeff Abood. Jeff Abood was in Gaza two times, has friends in Gaza and is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre that raises money for the Palestinian Christians of the Holy Land. Youseff Baddar is a Palestinian American who is both a history teacher and regular speaker about Palestine as well as an activist. Baddar, a graduate of the University of Toledo, also has family members living in Palestine and has visited twice in his lifetime. Abood began by providing background information on the genocide happening in Palestine. He explained the blockade on land and water in Palestine, and how there are drones constantly monitoring the area. Israel is also in control of the food, water and electricity utilized by the individuals living in Palestine, he explained. There are around 2.4 million people living in the Gaza area, Abood said. "It's the most densely populated area on earth," he said. "And over half the people there are children." "For the last, I think 15 or 17 years, it's been blockaded in," Abood continued. "It's like a big prison, people can't get in or out without Israeli permission. To enforce that, there's a wall built on three sides of it…and there is also a blockade on the water." Abood also said the unemployment rate in Gaza is around 70%. Abood explained the famine cases in Gaza are around 80%, as the Israeli army bulldozes over crops in order to prevent Palenstinians from planting their own food. Several hospitals have been destroyed due to the bombings and ransacked by the Israeli army. The latest U.S. statistics reported that in Gaza there are about 30,000 Palestinians dead, 70% are women and children and around 10,000 people are missing under the rubble who have not yet been found to identify, Abood said. Next, Baddar delivered a presentation on the history of events that led up to this horrific event, which dates back to the early 1900s. Baddar also shared personal experiences from his visits to Palestine over the years and explained the differences between the way of life there versus in the United States. "Until the world recognizes what Israel has been doing and acknowledges (the root cause), unfortunately this will go on," Baddar said. Baddar and Abood both said they hope for a ceasefire to put an end to the suffering that's happening right now. For information and resources over this topic, and to find out how you can help, visit uscpr.org.