Watch this extremely powerful speech by renowned Palestinian author and activist Susan Abulhawa in Oxford - set aside 20 minutes to listen to her. She sums it all up in her uncompromising summary of - everything - and concludes with what the future holds. Dr. Mads

The words: “suspend fundamental human reason” captures the duplicity from the US government, asking us to believe the narrative and ignore our own eyes. That is exactly the situation. I myself, having no connection to the Middle East and a career that has nothing to do with the study of history or politics, refused to simply go along with the Western Media headlines. I was witnessing video upon video of massive destruction and thousands of children being killed. What is this I thought to myself? The articles about the “war” described Self defense, self defense, self defense, Hamas started this, they needed to be destroyed and Israel was the most moral democracy-and so on and so forth. I was born and raised in NY, I can trace my ancestors on my father’s side back for a thousand years. My relatives were in Plymouth Massachusetts, I said the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school. My grandfather was a surgeon in World War 2 and volunteered to stay on longer than needed because he was committed to this great country. And now, the government of this wonderful country of mine was supporting the narrative of Israel. The result, a realization, a disbelief, at my own ignorance and my naivety that the virtuous Country I believe in was inaccurate. This country, my country, with 4th of July picnics and watching fireworks from our boat, was always making its own narrative. As a result, I have read. I have read every possible book regarding the history of the Middle East. I started with Jimmy Carter’s Blood of Abraham and couldn’t stop. I had to understand what I was seeing. My studies, have led me to this point in time. With absolute certainty a Genocide is being committed. The Palestinian people have been oppressed and wronged for decades. I do not condone any violence. I do not support Hamas. I want all hostages to be free. But I also know that this did not start Oct 7th. The Palestinian people deserve to be free. The level of civilian casualties is beyond any reasonable number. And, although I know my country is definitely not the honorable entity of morality that I grew up believing it to be, I can still see the millions of good people that want these people in Gaza to live and I must believe that this abominable low on the time line of mankind will bring forth an awakening that saves Humanity and Achieves the Democracy that I thought we always had.

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This speech is heard not merely by the ears. Or deep in the heart. It moves the soul. Unmissable speech.

It is indeed powerful & very moving. As an Irish citizen I challenge everyone to listen & understand there shouldn’t even be a debate on a second #Holocaust. Today especially I challenge @U2 to listen & feel our shame for accepting a medal of freedom from #GenocideJoeBiden

That speech touched me profoundly

😔 such a moving *truthful* talk. It touches the soul.

She summarizes it all 👏 #GazaGenocide #FreePalestine

Save Dr.Hussam Abu Safiyah #FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya

Powerful and heartrending @susanabulhawa

Susan Abulhawa says it all, succinctly.

brilliant!