Educate and stand against genocide- even if one person at a time

Today I was in this H Mart grocery store to buy some fish and grocery. In their fruit section, they are selling these Israeli fruit.

I took this picture and went to the customer service. I failed to explain the young lady at the counter that why selling Israeli product is helping the genocide. She has no clue about what’s going on in the Middle East. A regular, unaware of the world, person. 

Then came the manager. She seems to have some knowledge on what’s going on in that part of the world. 

I explained her that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine and has killed 28,000+ human lives including 11,500+ children in 4 months. So they shouldn’t support Israel by selling their product that strengthens their economy to bomb more children. 

Her initial reply was- “that should be American government’s concern and as a grocery store, what can I do? It won’t make much impact”. 

I agreed with her that we can’t stop the genocide alone. I further explained her that as a human being and as a parent, how would she feel if that was her child being bombed indiscriminately and massacred. I showed her a news article on genocide from my phone. Then I reminded her the analogy of the Vietnam war and asked her if she would be complicit to the killing of innocent Vietnamese in 1960s. She agreed that she wouldn’t support that. 

Then I asked her if she can at least talk to their Headoffice to stop selling Israeli product in their store.

I finally told her that I like coming to H Mart but when I see the store that I shop sells product from the country that’s engaging in an ongoing genocide, that may force me to change my mind. 

She assured me that she will talk to their headoffice about this product if they can do anything. 

Even if nothing comes out from this effort but at the very least they are now better educated about the truth about Israel’s genocidal act in Palestine. While we do all other big ticket items to stand for justice, we also need to educate individuals surrounding us on apartheid Israel’s act of genocide to change the public opinion. One day Palestine will be free, InshaAllah. Every effort counts.

Request to you all: please do not remain silent or complicit to the ongoing genocide. You may or may not be able to change it alone but if you stand for justice then at least you can be on the side of the solution - not on the side of problem.