The Gaza conflict has ignited passionate responses across the globe, leading to widespread solidarity protests and significant actions aimed at raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis. Recent events reflect the deepening urgency associated with the situation, as activists, academics, and everyday citizens come together to voice their concerns about the Israeli military actions and their devastating effects on the Palestinian people.
On November 17, 2024, the Anti-War Convention took place in East London, gathering several hundred individuals united under the banner of solidarity with Palestine. The event, organized by the group Stop The War, featured speakers from various backgrounds, all emphasizing the need to advance both the Palestine solidarity movement and the anti-imperialist struggle, especially with the specter of Donald Trump's potential return to the White House looming over the political horizon.
Among those who spoke was poet Michael Rosen, who articulated sharp criticism of the United States, describing it as not merely complicit but actively driving the violence against Palestinians. He stated, “The Palestinians are fighting against the mercenary forces of the US.” This sentiment was echoed by Palestinian author Ghada Karmi, who highlighted the dire situation on the ground, asserting, “The first stage in Israel’s plan is the destruction of the Palestinians.” Karmi underscored the need for increased creativity and focus from the solidarity movement, urging for actions beyond traditional rallies and demonstrations, which she argued, though impactful, are simply not enough.
Discussions at the convention included pressing calls for regular days of action, including workplace strikes on November 28. The initiative is backed by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and aims to galvanize support from the wider working-class community.
The Palestinian crisis has left many activists seeking innovative strategies to impact policies and draw attention to their cause. For example, Andrew Feinstein, author and anti-arms campaigner, argued during the event's discussions concerning NATO and Ukraine, connecting the dots between support for Israel and the geopolitical maneuverings surrounding the war against Russia. He asserted, “The West doesn’t really care about Ukrainian citizens. Ukraine is just a pawn in the West’s game,” drawing parallels with Israel's efforts against Palestinians.
Beyond London, activists are taking important actions across various regions. Notably, hunger strikes have gained momentum among solidarity activists, as reported from Jordan. Since October 7, 2023, when Israeli forces intensified their offensive on Gaza, hundreds have gathered regularly to demonstrate their support for Palestinian resistance. These protests have morphed from grassroots gatherings to organized marches—each aimed at raising awareness and pushing for humanitarian aid entry to Gaza.
On November 18, 2024, it was reported from Amman, Jordan, where activists entered their seventeenth day of hunger strikes. Their calls have centered around pressing the Jordanian government to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid access. One young activist emphasized their commitment to sending “a strong message of support for the Palestinian people and the need for urgent action.” The sheer tenacity of these hunger strikers has demonstrated the connection many feel to Gaza’s plight, especially considering the rising death toll and humanitarian suffering inside the besieged territory.
The situation for Palestinians is grim, with reports indicating the Israeli military has killed at least 44,000 and wounded over 103,000, many of whom are children and women. Activists are competing for attention, not just to raise awareness of these dire statistics but to actively lobby for political change, implement policy shifts, and advocate for human rights globally. Mohammed Awda, one of the activists on strike, asserted the increasing number of participants reflected strong public support for “all options to save those being besieged to death.”
These protests and demonstrations are not limited to the UK and Jordan, as solidarity camps have sprung up on college campuses across the United States. Over the last few months, students have increasingly taken to their campuses to protest the war on Gaza, demanding their universities take action against companies benefitting from military conflicts. At Columbia University, for example, students faced disciplinary actions from their administration following protests demanding divestment from arms manufacturers.
Students formed encampments on campuses, raising awareness and taking symbolic stands against the complicity of institutions with military actions. Unfortunately, many have faced institutional pushback. Recent reports indicate harsh measures such as suspensions and deportations for international students who have protested. The narratives from the U.S. campus protests resonate with movements elsewhere as young people mobilize, pushing for serious discussions about foreign policy, military solutions, and human rights.
Many faculty members have also rallied with their students, showing solidarity and amplifying calls for institutional changes. Their support is integral, as evidenced by actions at the New School and UCLA where campus police employed aggressive tactics against protesters. The culmination of these campaigns suggests students are unwilling to permit complacency from their administrations.
While the political climate may appear disheartening, the determination of activists worldwide paints a different picture. Despite the oppression faced, the rising tide of protests demonstrates the undeniable global connection and shared commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of Palestinians. This momentum is growing, and calls for network building among unions, educational institutions, and activists alike suggest the groundwork for more significant movements is being laid.
To quote Stop The War convenor Lindsey German at the recent convention, “We have to take this movement to the trade unions and the wider working class.” Leaving no stone unturned, placements of substantive links between various anti-imperialist struggles present avenues for collaboration, which could lead to tangible political challenges against those holding power.
With the rise of political leaders like Trump, who has indicated plans to utilize the military against protestors, activists are cognizant of the challenges confronting them. The ruling class's memories of strong student movements of the past serve as reminders of the potential havoc these protests can wreak on status quo politics.
Looking forward, the diverse activist strategies employing existing organizational structures, including labor, academia, and non-profits, are geared to galvanize support. By blending calls for widespread strikers with themes around substantial divestment and anti-war policies, activists aim to shift not just public opinion but political policy significantly. This shift may also involve creating new avenues for building mass, independent movements capable of truly effecting change.
Through collective action, the vested interests supporting war and colonial domination might be curtailed, and more humane policies implementing humanitarian efforts can be realized. The potential for student-led movements uniting with labor remains significant, promising to empower the wider working class as activists remain resolute. The dire humanitarian situation for Palestinians, marked by their struggles, does not solely dwell on their shoulders; the call for solidarity and collective action resonates universally, urging all to speak out and stand together against oppressive regimes.
