From Gaza to Jerusalem: Confront massacres and ethnic cleansing, support Palestinian resistance!

–Participate and join an action! See below for events and resources. Since this post was first written, there are now 23 martyrs, including 9 children, in Gaza.– 

As violent colonial settlers march through occupied Palestinian Jerusalem and to the Al-Aqsa Mosque – after Israeli occupation forces injured hundreds of Palestinians in their attacks on worshippers, Israeli drone warplanes just murdered nine Palestinians in Gaza, including three children, in Beit Hanoun. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges all Palestinian, Arab and international supporters of Palestine to escalate their organizing and struggle to confront massacres and ethnic cleansing and support Palestinian resistance! 

For over 73 years of ongoing Nakba, Palestinians have resisted Israeli massacres, ethnic cleansing and colonialism. The latest crimes of Zionism against the Palestinian people, from Sheikh Jarrah to Gaza, the nine martyrs, the murdered children, the hundreds of wounded, and the thousands of Palestinian prisoners resisting behind bars, must inspire all people of conscience to act and organize. 

In this moment, it is particularly important to highlight our unconditional support for the Palestinian people and their right to resist. It is now and has always been the resistance of the Palestinian people, through all forms of struggle, that defends Palestine from colonialism and will lead the march to victory and liberation, from the river to the sea. The Palestinian armed resistance are freedom fighters, not only for Palestine confronting Zionism, but on the front lines of the international battle to fight imperialism and colonialism, the greatest threat to the peoples of the world. These Palestinian fighters confront the Israeli military machine, which does not stand alone but is backed by over $3.8 billion in U.S. military aid annually. Our solidarity must affirm Palestinian resistance, Palestinian return, and Palestinian liberation, throughout the entire land of occupied Palestine. 

Each Palestinian life, though it is far too often censored, suppressed or unmentioned in Western media, is precious. The nine Palestinians massacred in Gaza by the Israeli occupation forces lived, loved, worked, struggled and built their lives under siege, nourished and nurtured their children. The three children had their entire lives ahead of them, with every potential to shine, develop and blossom, cut off because of the racist ideology of Zionism and the racist state of Israel, backed to the hilt by imperialist powers from the U.S. to Canada to the UK to the European states. We must not let their lives and memory pass by or let their blood be shed idly or in vain. 

Join us in action in Stockholm, in London, in Madrid, in Berlin, in New York, in Vancouver, in Frankfurt, in Los Angeles, in Toronto, in Toulouse, in Gothenburg, in Athens, and so many other cities in the coming days. (See the list below and at our global calendar!) Your action to support the Palestinian people and the Palestinian resistance, for return to Palestine and liberation from the river to the sea is more important than ever — to honor the martyrs, to stop ethnic cleansing, and to stand with Palestine in 73 years of struggle. 

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Palestinians continue to resist and to prove that the Palestinian struggle continues and that organizing and resistance is the road to liberation. We know that it is this resistance that will defeat the attacks of Zionism and imperialism, and our actions and organizing around the world can work to build support for the Palestinian people and their resistance in Jerusalem, Gaza, throughout occupied Palestine and in exile and diaspora.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges all friends of Palestine around the world to join the campaign to #SaveSheikhJarrah and to support Gaza — and all of Palestine. Boycott Israel, take the streets and take action, organize direct actions and speak out to defend Jerusalem, defend Palestine and support the Palestinian resistance and the liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea!

Join us in the Week of Palestinian Struggle from 15-22 May — and right now, urgently, before the week officially begins — to escalate our organizing, resistance and action to support the Palestinians struggling, resisting, fighting and facing the most severe, brutal and deadly colonial violence on the front lines of liberation struggle.

READ THE FULL CALL TO ACTION in EnglishArabicGermanFrenchSwedish

Here are some ways that you can take action:

Boycott Israel

The international, Arab and Palestinian campaign to boycott Israel can play an important role at this critical time. Local boycott groups can protest and label Israeli produce and groceries. During Ramadan, Israeli dates from stolen Palestinian land are marketed around the world while Israel attempts to force Palestinians from Jerusalem, demolish homes, and imprisons thousands more. By participating in the boycott of Israel, you can directly help to throw a wrench in the economy of settler colonialism. Download our Boycott Flyer to distribute at supermarkets, stores and other venues in your community!

Take the Streets

On the Week of Palestinian Struggle, join us to defend Jerusalem, #SaveSheikhJarrah and continue on their path of resistance, steadfastness and solidarity. Actions are being organized every day to build for Palestine. It’s time to make our voices heard loudly and clearly for justice for Palestine. Take to the streets and join these actions below — and see our full list of events, which is constantly being updated as new actions are announced! Send us your events at samidoun@samidoun.net.

Our comrades at Within Our Lifetime – United for Palestine developed a useful toolkit that you can use when planning your own event! Check it out here: https://wolpalestine.com/resources/rally-toolkit/

Direct Action

Organizations like Palestine Action are taking direct action to challenge Israeli arms manufacturers, specifically Elbit Systems. This company manufactures and markets drone weaponry around the world that is built on “battle-tested” technologies used against Palestinians, especially in Gaza. Check out Palestine Action’s work and upcoming public demonstrations – on 11 May, 17 May and 28 May challenging Elbit Systems in the UK!

Speak Out

If you can’t participate in a street action, there are still so many ways that you can raise your voice for justice for Palestine. If you are in Canada, take action by signing these statements:

If you are in the United States, sign Al-Awda’s letter to members of Congress:

Keep sharing information with your friends and family on social media, and call your government officials to demand action.