On Oct. 7, a violent attack attracted global attention as the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza reached a new level of intensity.
Social Studies teacher Matt Meyer has followed past tensions in an effort to stay knowledgeable about the ongoing conflicts that have led up to Oct. 7. Due to teaching AP World History, Theory of Knowledge and Honors Latin III, he understands students may come to him with questions.
“In the context of the last 20 years, there’s been on and off conflict, on and off war and on and off activities between both sides, between Israel and between Hamas and then Oct. 7 happens. It draws this global attention back to what has been happening for years,” Meyer said.
During the years of unrest and conflict that have existed in this area of the world, there has been a contentious history between Palestiniains and Israelis, with continuous friction between the two.
“But it [past conflicts] was on a different scale. And so, on Oct. 7, Hamas broke through using bulldozers, through border fences, and from there, a number of militants of Hamas soldiers flooded into Israeli settlements that were close,” Meyer said.
The attack led to further divide between Israel and Palestine. After the attacks the Israeli Defense Force was deployed. The IDF reacted by following their attack with airstrikes on Gaza.
Seniors Doniven Polivka and Yara Omar have both been vocal on their perspectives regarding the ongoing conflict.
“I am proudly Jewish. I spent time in Israel, I’ve studied in Israel and I’ve become close with many Israelis. Some of my friends are in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force), so this is very personal. That’s how I’m connected because it’s my culture,” Polivka said.
While Polivka has ties to Israel, Omar has connections to Palestine.
“I am connected to the events currently unfolding in Gaza through being human. Although I am a person of color, Muslim and culturally similar to the people of Palestine, I’m ultimately connected to this issue because I am human.” Omar said
In these attacks Omar sees more than just violence. She sees injustice and oppression against her people.
Similar to this, Polivka realizes how this impact is affecting the lives of Jewish people.
“It has made me very aware of the global disregard for Jewish lives. It’s very scary. But I’m also seeing many communities come together to support Jewish people. And that is like the silver lining of all of this as people are supporting Jews and Israel. So it’s hard that there is so much trauma and tragedy, [but] it’s cool to see people join together,” Polivka said.
Through social media and news there is a strong online coverage that allows widespread accessibility to information about Gaza and Israel.
Based on all that she has seen from her perspective, Omar feels what has happened to Palestinians is genocide. It has taken a large toll on her mental health
“It has been extremely painful,” Omar said.
Polivka is hurt, too. He points out the dramatic rise in anti-semetic incidents in the USA. The Anti-Defamation League reported in October a 400% rise in such incidents.
“It feels glaringly obvious that this war is not limited to Israel and Gaza,” Polivka said.
Although the events taking place are some 6,000 miles away, the impact is tremendous on these students and many people around the world. The emotions of Omar and Polvika are evident from their statements.
“There is a lot [of emotions] being it’s a war and all that. But the loss of life on both sides is very tough, makes me emotional, because there are both innocent people on both sides losing lives that don’t deserve to,” Polivka said.
Both students agree that innocent lives are being lost. The death toll is rising daily.
“What has made me feel most emotional is the videos and images of what Gaza looks like today, compared to what it previously looked like. Rather than dancing and socializing on the streets, people in Gaza today are out in the streets searching for their lost family and friends beneath pieces of large rubble from the bombings,” Omar said.
The events are intense. Most high school students are not fully informed. It’s difficult to understand the impact that a regional conflict has on the entire world.
Omar and Polivka are examples of how someone far away from the conflict can be affected. Each has specific takeaways that they want the public to know.
“I would like people to know that Judaism is a way of life in their religion,” Polivka said. “They are people that love and respect life. And you can see when Israel and Gaza were coexisting in its own fractured way, going up until Oct. 7. It wasn’t exactly perfect, but people were able to live their life. ”
Omar feels strongly that others should be informed about the conflict and its history.
“I would like people to know that every single one of their voices and actions matter during a time of severe media misrepresentation and propaganda. It is vitally important that the truth is known amongst people, it is important to make that post to educate your followers of what they’re not seeing. It’s important to not get wrapped up in the privileged lives we live and extend our empathy and full support to people who are being silently massacred in the 1000s,” Omar said.
They also encourage others to speak up about what they believe. Both Polvika and Omar have actively researched and spoken about the topic, making connections to family and followers, all in an effort to share and inform.
“The least we can do is spread awareness of their tragedies and do everything in our power to not support or fund companies that are enabling this genocide to occur. If you’ve ever wondered what you [would] do during slavery, the Holocaust or the civil rights movement, we’re doing it right now,” Omar said.
Similarly, Polivka feels passionately about how Jewish people are affected.
“There are only 15 million Jews in the world… And I honestly believe this war is not about land. It’s about fighting for the right to exist,” Polivka said.
This is a global issue. It is important to educate yourself about this current event specifically because of the widespread impact that it has on people. History is happening. Consider your sources, look through multiple lenses, and whatever you do, be informed.