How Seattle’s Palestinian community is marking one year since the Israel-Hamas war began

Since Hamas militants attacked Southern Israel on October 7, taking roughly 1200 lives, and capturing hundreds of hostages, the Israeli military has responded with overwhelming force in Gaza.

Bombs and other military actions have killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Most of the homes, businesses, schools and mosques in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed – and millions have been displaced.

And there is no end in sight to the bombardment.

The U.S. State Department says Hamas has refused for weeks to engage in cease-fire talks. Previously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly stalled a cease-fire and hostage deal by adding new conditions to negotiations.

For the past 12 months, Palestinian Americans and the wider Muslim community in the Seattle area have been urging the U.S. to halt weapons transfers and funding to Israel.

On Saturday, roughly 500 protesters gathered at Pier 62 on Seattle’s waterfront to demand change. 

Yesterday, we spoke with members of Seattle’s Jewish community about how they’re remembering the first anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israel.

Today, we’re speaking with members of Seattle’s Palestinian and Muslim communities about the effects of the war in Gaza.

Guests:

• Akram Baioumy, an Imam with MAPS (Muslim Association of Puget Sound) 

• Yaz Kader, a Palestinian American and an uncommitted delegate from Washington state at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. He’s also the author of a new Op-Ed in Real Change News, called “Silencing the Palestinian voice at the local and national levels”.

Relevant Links:

• Silencing the Palestinian voice at the local and national levels - Real Change