For nearly two years people of conscience have been warning about the trajectory of Israel’s assault on Gaza. Begging people to pay attention and speak out while being accused of antisemitism for daring to oppose an obvious genocide.

Those of us who have been writing about human rights long before this were not fazed. We understood this cynical, baseless and insidious tactic of the apartheid state. We knew the difference between Judaism and Zionism and that conflating them is the real antisemitism.

Now much of the media and several Western governments are beginning to realize what they have been funding, supporting and whitewashing. Genocide, the very worst crime against humanity. But for tens of thousands of people, it is too late. And what broke the camel’s back?

The carpet bombing of apartments and entire city blocks wasn’t enough. The biggest population of child amputees in the world wasn’t enough. The largest mass murder of journalists in any conflict in history wasn’t enough. The rape and torture of surgeons, physicians and nurses wasn’t enough. The shooting of toddlers in the neck by Israeli snipers wasn’t enough. Leaving a young man with Down’s Syndrome to die alone in fear and agony without his family wasn’t enough. Detaining healthcare staff and leaving new born babies to die in incubators wasn’t enough. Murdering little Hind and the paramedics coming to help her wasn’t enough. Countless genocidal statements from Israeli politicians and media figures wasn’t enough. Scores of TikTok videos posted by IDF soldiers documenting their crimes wasn’t enough. The total destruction of bakeries, desalinization plants, shelters, hospitals, cafes, tents, ambulances, universities, cancer treatment facilities, farms, kindergartens, mosques, churches wasn’t enough. And for a very long time, mass imposed starvation wasn’t enough.

Now that Gaza is in stage 5 for famine, many are speaking out. And this is welcome. But the arms keep flowing. The blockade is still in effect. And there have yet to be sanctions on Israel.

When will that turning point be reached? Or have we come to a point where the world finally acknowledges the worst crime of the 21st century and shrugs its shoulders?

Kenn Orfanos, August 2025

*Photo is of nine-year-old Maryam Duvvas. She is currently receiving treatment at Patient Friends Association Hospital in Gaza City. She is in critical condition from severe malnutrition and not expected to survive due to Israel’s continued blockade of medicines and IV nutrition.