Fire in LA, Ashes in Palestine: The Karma of America’s Foreign and Domestic Policies
Just in recent months, world viewers have been faced with a very depressing scenario emerging out of Palestine. In recent times, some innocent babies even those not above infancy have become victimized due to the brutality of Israel. The U.S., being one of Israel's longest-standing allies, is thus perpetuating these acts of violence. It constantly gives unconditional backing in the forms of military and diplomatic shielding to its ally, even as Americans themselves are increasingly dealing with disasters of their own—such as the devastating California wildfires. How tragic that at this moment the death of young people in Palestine seems to symbolize a catastrophic course of such actions and results. Is it possible that these fires, the tragedy in Palestine, and the broader environmental and geopolitical issues we face today are part of a karmic cycle—where the consequences of America's choices inevitably return to haunt it?
The Tragedy of Innocence: Babies Killed in Palestine
The sad truth about Palestine is that children and babies have been the most susceptible victims of Israeli occupation. Decades of violence have taken their toll as hundreds of Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli military operations and airstrikes. Humanitarian organizations report that children in Gaza and the West Bank are caught in the middle, living under the constant threat of displacement, injury, or death.
A child's life, full of promise, is brutally snuffed out in a war that the vast majority of them have no stake in. Yet, they suffer from decisions made geopolitically, far beyond their control. The U.S. has enabled this systemic violence through consistent arms sales, diplomatic support, and financial aid for Israel. This is American policy; in the name of political alliances and military prowess, the very lives of Palestinian children are sacrificed.
For instance, airstrikes in Gaza against alleged militants have killed civilians and children. Hospitals, schools, and homes are bombed, and families are separated. The world watches, but the U.S. shields Israel from international accountability, thereby preventing any action that would seriously hold Israel responsible for the carnage.
The Role of America: Enabling Violence
The United States has been Israel's most devoted backer since its founding in 1948, sending tens of billions of dollars in military and financial aid to Israel each year. Few conditions were ever attached to these monies, and successive administrations in Washington shielded Israel from any serious consequences for its actions against Palestinians.
This unconditional support has become a pivotal aspect of the continued violence within Palestine. Though the U.S. government constantly boasts about the principles of human rights, democracy, and justice, it's clear that such principles have little place within the U.S. Middle East policy. For instance, America continues to perpetuate the Israeli occupation with no consideration for the Palestinian experience in the form of the killing of infants.
American military aid has allowed Israel to continue its blockade of Gaza and to implement policies that restrict Palestinians' access to basic needs, including medical care, food, and water. These policies directly impact Palestinian children, as they endure trauma from airstrikes and military operations, malnourishment, and a lack of healthcare. Innocent infant deaths are not merely a terrible side effect of the war; they are a direct result of American backing for policies that put military might ahead of human life.
The Fires in LA: A Symbolic Reflection
As the situation in Palestine continues to unfold with devastating consequences, America faces its crisis—natural disasters that seem to grow in frequency and intensity.
Perhaps the greatest crisis over recent years is those raging wildfires in California. Fires destroy communities and homes and snatch away so many lives. According to what people know, climate change and extreme weather conditions are attributed to the main reasons for the occurring wildfires, with mismanagement of the natural resources involved. One more point though that cannot be ignored, in light of human activities' interconnectedness with nature.
Just as the U.S.'s foreign policies have caused suffering for Palestinian children, its domestic actions—or lack thereof—have also contributed to the growing wildfire problem. The United States has been reluctant to confront the consequences of climate change, even though scientists have long recognized that human activity is the primary driver of global warming. Extreme wildfires have increased nationwide, particularly in California, due to deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, and other environmental policies. The terrible results of persons in positions of authority prioritizing immediate political and economic gains over long-term sustainability are fires like this one.
Karma:
As TRUMP said, " All Hell will break out in the Middle East".
When comparing destruction from both killed babies in Palestine and wildfires across California, one cannot help but consider if there may be some cosmic link between those events.
Considering the fact of karma—the result of actions creating an unintended set of far-reaching consequences on the other individual—karma can also describe the situation found in Palestine to the environmental tragedies that plague this nation of U.S.
The United States' continued support of Israel, which has carried out cruel and unfair crimes against the Palestinian people, is one of the reasons for the suffering in the region. More generally, the destruction in Palestine can be seen as a reflection of the greater patterns of destruction that America is going through, whether it is through violent crimes or environmental deterioration. Examples of a lack of accountability in environmental stewardship and international policy are the destruction caused by wildfires in California and the murder of helpless infants in Palestine.
The doing in one part of the world has serious implications in another, often upon an innocent party. That the US fails to concern itself with the loss of innocent children in Palestine is part of a general disregard for the world and its inhabitants. The firestorms in California that ravage homes and lives may be an expression of America's karmic blowback from unchecked actions, whether abroad or here at home.
Examining the tragedy of babies killed in Palestine and fires in California brings into view the broad scope of damage inflicted by choices that humans have made. The aid given by America to military might in Israel, or even the environmental policies leading to increasing climatic deterioration, are effects of America's decisions. The suffering in Palestine and the burning at home have to be used as a clarion call upon the U.S. to recognize its role and responsibility in contributing to the situation. Only when accountability, compassion, and justice converge can we begin to treat these deep wounds—both foreign and domestic.
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