Statement on Palestine
Acclaimed Video Games stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and strongly condemns Israel’s ongoing attacks on civilians in Gaza. So far, these attacks have killed more than 25,000 people, destroyed more than 70% of Gaza homes, displaced around 75% of Gaza's population, and decimated Gaza's health system. Such actions constitute genocide, and are a continuation of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, which has been happening for more than a century. Israel’s justifications for these attacks do not bear scrutiny. They must cease immediately.
Update 11th May 2024:
In the months since the above statement, the situation for the people of Gaza has deteriorated even further. My news feed over the last few months has been a constant stream of the most horrific crimes imaginable: mass graves have been discovered in the ruins of two of Gaza’s hospitals containing evidence of executions, live burials, and torture; Gaza’s population is being intentionally staved to death by the blocking or destruction of essential humanitarian aid; Israeli whistleblowers have sounded the alarm about torture camps for captured Palestinians; aid workers, journalists, and medical staff have been intentionally targeted by Israeli forces; and, the IDF has now begun a brutal offensive in Rafah, home to more than one million internally displaced Palestinian civilians. This is a clear genocide, perpetrated by the Israeli state, with unflinching support from the US and other Western powers. Acclaimed Video Games stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine, and with the countless movements around the globe fighting for peace.
Further resources:
- "The Games Industry Must Not Stay Silent on Palestine" Video by People Make Games https://youtu.be/pDB_wYdn5f4
- "Amnesty International investigation concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza" Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/
- "What Events Lead to the Current Situation in Israel and Palestine?" Interview with Norman Finkelstein https://youtu.be/esli-uLlN2A
- South Africa's submission to the International Court of Justice https://icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20231228-app-01-00-en.pdf
- "The Genocide in Gaza" speech by Chris Hedges https://youtu.be/ly6lfhOxTe0
- "Examining ‘Ten Myths about Israel’, by Ilan Pappe" Book review by Allan C. Brownfeld https://mondoweiss.net/2018/01/examining-myths-israel/
- "Life in Occupied PALESTINE" by Anna Baltzer https://youtu.be/Q_MDC2Gty4I