A series of events last month has led to a surge in violence in Palestine — the latest outbreak of violence in a decades-long human rights crisis inflicted by Israeli military rule, under which Palestinians are subjected to systemic discrimination and denied basic freedom and dignity.
Though the media typically refers to the situation as a conflict, that language is misleading. The ongoing struggle is the result of Israel’s apartheid regime and state-sanctioned violence that seeks to remove Palestinians from their land. Israel restricts Palestinians’ access to land, water, employment opportunities, and freedom of movement — with massive financial support from the United States.
As explained by Jewish Voice for Peace:
The violence between Israelis and Palestinians is often falsely presented as a conflict between two equal sides with irreconcilable claims to one piece of land.
In reality, this is a conflict over territory between a nation-state, Israel, with one of the world’s most powerful and well-funded militaries, and an indigenous population of Palestinians that has been occupied, displaced, and exiled for decades.
On May 13, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Michael Curry issued a statement on the ongoing violence:
One more time The Episcopal Church stands to say that violence is not the way forward. We say the expansion of Israeli settlements at the expense of Palestinian families must end. We say incitement which encourages violence must end. We say enough is enough.
The latest surge in violence has many concerned Americans wondering what they can do to help. The resources below offer several ways you can support Palestinians through financial donations, political advocacy, and education.
1. Donate
If you are able to provide financial assistance, the following organizations are working to support Palestinians and achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
The Institute for Middle East Understanding
The Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) is an independent non-profit organization that provides journalists with quick access to information about Palestine and the Palestinians, as well as expert sources, both in the United States and in the Middle East. Both through its website and its staff, the IMEU works with journalists to increase the public’s understanding about the socio-economic, political, and cultural aspects of Palestine, Palestinians, and Palestinian Americans.
Website: imeu.org
Medical Aid for Palestinians
MAP works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. The organization provides immediate medical aid to those in great need, while also developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system.
Website: map.org.uk
Children of Peace
Children of Peace is a non-partisan children’s charity organization dedicated to building trust, friendship and reconciliation between Israeli and Palestinian children, a heavy and disproportionate price for the continued violence.
Website: childrenofpeace.org.uk
2. Contact your representatives and ask them to:
Support H.R. 2590
Introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) on April 15, H.R. 2590 aims to “To promote and protect the human rights of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation and to ensure that United States taxpayer funds are not used by the Government of Israel to support the military detention of Palestinian children, the unlawful seizure, appropriation, and destruction of Palestinian property and forcible transfer of civilians in the West Bank, or further annexation of Palestinian land in violation of international law.”
To find your rep and their contact information, visit Common Cause
Or use this form to send a message to your elected officials. Using this form will subscribe you to messages from Jewish Voice for Peace.
End military funding to Israel
In 2016, the United States finalized a deal to give Israel $38 billion in military aid over ten years. Even prior to this agreement, Israel was the “largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II,” according to the Congressional Research Service. For decades, US military aid to Israel has been justified as necessary to help a small nation defend itself against powerful and hostile neighbors. But as Israel continues to inflict violence on Palestine, it’s time to rethink this support.
Use this form to send a message to your representatives demanding they support legislation to end the $3.8 billion in military funding to Israel every year and stop funding Israeli apartheid.
3. Call on our government to stop forced displacement of Palestinians from East Jerusalem
From The Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy:
Over 1,500 Palestinians from neighborhoods in Jerusalem are facing threat of forced displacement and home demolitions by Israeli authorities. Children make up a large percentage of the families threatened with homelessness.
This is part of Israel’s larger plan of racist colonial expansion throughout East Jerusalem and the West Bank, forcibly displacing Palestinian families from their land and homes and replacing them with illegal Israeli settlements.
Take action: call on U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to demand an end to Israel illegal evictions of Palestinians and demolitions of their homes.
4. Support the BDS (boycott, divest, sanctions) movement
Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.
The BDS mission aligns with the highest ethical teachings in our faith traditions and our commitment to supporting social justice for all of humanity. By signing up for updates from BDS, you’ll receive resources and action alerts to help you support the movement.
Website: bdsmovement.net
5. Follow and uplift Palestinians on social media
A lasting solution for peace requires that we listen to, learn from, and center Palestinian voices. Those living at the center of the crisis understand the issue best. Any conversation about Palestine should feature and center Palestinians.
When sharing or commenting on social media, be sure to consider the source of the information and uplift Palestinian voices when possible.
Some accounts to follow
On Instagram:
@theimeu
@letstalkpalestine
@visualizing_palestine
@palestinianyouthmovement
On Twitter:
Medical Aid for Palestinians
The IMEU
US Campaign for Palestinian Rights
Noura Erakat, human rights attorney and author of Justice for Some
Institute for Palestine Studies
6. Read books by Palestinian authors
Last but not least, make an effort to read and learn about Palestinians and their struggles. The following are some books by Palestinians and/or about Palestine that I have seen recommended on Instagram. This is by no means an exhaustive list but should serve as a good starting point.
Fiction
Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa (who has written several additional books about Palestine, both fiction and non-fiction)
Qissat: Short Stories by Palestinian Women edited by Jo Glanville
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
Non-fiction
I Saw Ramallah by Mourid Barghouti
In Search of Fatima by Ghada Karmi
Justice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine by Noura Erakat
Ten Myths About Israel by Ilan Pappé
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi
Special thanks to these Instagram accounts for resources and reading recommendations:
@soyouwanttotalkabout
@beautiful.bibliophile
@totahlybooked
@heatherflynnstagram
