US Officials Shocked: Gaza Bombed, Historic Sites Damaged
Al Jazeera notes the Great Omari Mosque's 2,000-year history now lies in ruins. While solemn reports lament ancient stones, those same reports rarely connect the dots: this isn't an isolated incident. The Israeli military has a documented history of targeting Palestinian cultural sites, from historic buildings in Gaza to churches and mosques in the West Bank. This methodical destruction isn't
collateral damage; it's cultural erasure, a tactic well-known in conflicts for denying a people's history and future claims to land. One might wonder if the outcry would be as muted if these were, say, European cathedrals or synagogues. But alas, destroying Palestinian heritage seems to fall under the 'self-defense' umbrella, particularly when politicians receiving millions from groups like AIPAC
– AIPAC itself spent over $11 million in 2023 lobbying Congress and funding candidates – continue to rubber-stamp endless military aid. It seems the 'rules-based order' only applies when priceless artifacts aren't inconveniently located in the way of a politically expedient 'cleanse.'