How the Latest Chapter in Israeli Apartheid Shows the Best and Worst of Humanity

And why in spite of the horror, there is hope.

I’ve found it so difficult to write in the last few weeks. I cannot put into words the horrors I’ve seen unfold on social media and even attempt some analysis. However, I believe it’s important to speak out. It’s better to be imperfectly vocal than perfectly silent.

Let’s start by establishing some of the facts.

Within the last few weeks, thousands in Gaza — a territory where half the population are under 18 — are now dead. While bloodlines perished. Israel bombed numerous cultural and civilian buildings like churches and hospitals that civilians were using as shelter (a war crime). The far-right Israeli government openly state their intentions to commit genocide and ethnic cleansing. It is truly disgusting behaviour. It’s just the latest chapter in a 75+ year saga, albeit now broadcast on social media for the world to see.

Social media has changed the narrative.

The power of social media means that Palestinians have managed to break through the systemic barriers that prevented ordinary people outside the affected areas from understanding reality. Ordinary people can see the footage first-hand while consuming foreign media that accurately reports the situation (most notably Al Jazeera).

The Western media peddles various narratives designed to support Israeli apartheid. However, more people understand Western mainstream media cannot be trusted due to other political issues. Therefore, Western media became widely distrusted prior to this latest offensive.

This is why more and more ordinary people understand the fighting needs to stop. You do not have to be an expert on international politics, economics, religion, and similar fields to oppose genocide. You just have to be human. This is why hundreds of millions worldwide — but especially younger generations — support at a minimum, a ceasefire, at most, a complete end to the occupation.

The tide is turning against the established narrative and this cannot come soon enough. This only makes the juxtaposition between what ordinary people see and what politicians and the media claim even more sickening.

Western politicians and their open support for genocide

In the case of Western politicians, their behaviour is even more sickening. Let me put it into perspective. Politicians like Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Ursula von de Lyon all line up to “support Israel’s right to defend itself” as if Israel is a victim and not an oppressor. This makes them proud supporters of genocide. Additionally, they attempt to punish any form of dissent by banning pro-Palestine protests while pushing false narratives to justify supporting war crimes.

These false narratives include:

• claiming all Jewish people as being Zionists (and hence supporting Israeli apartheid)
• claiming that all supporters of Palestinian liberation as being antisemitic / terrorists or otherwise support Hamas
• all other current and historical narratives designed to uphold Israeli apartheid, such as Israel’s position on LGBTQ+ rights vs the rest of the Middle East and Palestine

Why do these politicians act this way? It fundamentally comes down to their desire to uphold the interests of rich and powerful Westerners in the Middle East and the rest of the global South. Especially given how the most powerful Western countries are former colonial powers or colonies of the British Empire.

Additionally, these politicians know that the chances of being held liable for their role in supporting this genocide are remote, so feel emboldened to peddle it. After all, the way these people treat Palestinians is how they’d treat their own citizens if they could get away with doing so. All this shows their lack of humanity and contempt for ordinary people.

Western countries will never be taken seriously again regarding enforcing international law or other initiatives — even if it’s to make the world a better place. This is especially important regarding the climate crisis, which requires international cooperation. I do not blame countries outside of the West for refusing to take them seriously again. This is before touching on all the various local issues and atrocities individual countries and regions suffer due to being colonised by many of the Western powers.

Yet in spite of these politicians, humanity shows up for Palestine

Even though many world leaders support Israeli apartheid, more and more ordinary people do not, and they’re making their voices heard. The amount of solidarity ordinary people have shown through protests has been heartwarming to see across the globe. From Western countries like the USA, UK and Germany to non-western countries like Turkey and Pakistan, ordinary people show up to demand justice. Ordinary people show up in support of Palestine. Ordinary people show up to campaign for the end of the occupation.

Everyone supporting Palestine now and historically is on the right side of history, and no attempts to gaslight or rewrite history will work. It shows how ordinary people — when they are clearly informed of the facts and images for themselves — will choose justice and freedom over death and destruction. It highlights the goodness humanity has and will continue to have even once Palestine is free.

I also want to highlight that some Western leaders — notably those in Ireland, Scotland, and Spain — are on the right side of history. Additionally, some Latin American countries are acting. Bolivia has cut diplomatic ties with Israel over this latest escalation, whereas Columbia and Chile have recalled their ambassadors. Additionally, Craig Mokhiber, the former UN high commissioner in New York, resigned in protest at the UN’s failure to act. His resignation makes for powerful reading, and I strongly recommend you read his letter. This list of powerful actions will grow.

To build a more sustainable future, Palestine must be free.

To connect it briefly to what I write about on Medium a bit, a free Palestinian state is vital to building a better, more sustainable future. War and instability contribute to the climate crisis whether it’s emissions from the detonation of weapons as well as creating even more refugees on top of those that will become climate refugees as countries like Vanuatu will likely sink under the waves.

Additionally, it shows how Western governments, corporations, and their financial interests (including the fossil fuel industry) are the biggest barriers to bringing about a more sustainable world. Challenging them wherever possible — including their support of Israeli apartheid — is an important step to disarming their power. Disarming the power of these bodies from using it for evil and instead for good is key.

Additionally, Palestinians do not have the freedom to travel within Israel, let alone internationally. If they must leave Palestine, they are not allowed to return. Hence, Palestinians cannot live abroad the same way many Westerners can. This needs to change. As an aspiring digital nomad, this is something else that sticks out to me when discussing this occupation. I can do what they cannot, which makes me question whether I should even keep writing about international travel and migration. In the end, though, I will keep writing.

Intersectionality is the key

Not only is it possible for people to care about and campaign for multiple issues, but intersectionality is the key. Envisioning a future where freedom of movement exists for all, where people can choose to move where they want and not be forcibly displaced, is key to building a sustainable future.

Continuing to support a free Palestine is a form of revolutionary optimism, a belief that you can build a sustainable world by continuing to come together as individuals and as organisations. It’s a belief that humanity will come through regardless of how powerful your opponent is — even if it takes a long time. This optimism radiates worldwide at this very moment and will continue to show. This is how structural change happens.

What can you do?

If you’re still reading this, I recommend getting involved in direct action however you can and can safely do so. This can include attending protests (i.e. there’s a big national demo on the 11th of November in London, England), to pushing your organisations to support a pro-Palestine position. Yes, even in seemingly unrelated fields. Again, intersectionality is the key. Write to your local representatives, especially if you’re in the UK or USA.

I also recommend educating yourself on the complete history of Palestine and what’s going on now. There are many credible documentaries on YouTube. Additionally, The UK publisher Verso Books has made six eBooks on Palestine free to download. Follow Palestinians on social media who discuss what’s going on.

Additionally, if you have Arab or Jewish friends, be sure to check in with them, as this whole situation will be particularly traumatising for those communities.

And finally, look after yourself. What is going on right now is not normal. If you are stressed out over what is going on in Palestine, this is a perfectly rational response to what’s going on. After all, you cannot help fighting for change if you can’t look after yourself.

Note: I am not an expert. I’m just an ordinary person who has been doing a lot of learning. If I’ve made any mistakes or missed anything, please let me know in the comments below. Thank you!