First off, let’s talk grassroots activism. You don’t need a PhD to amplify Gaza’s plight. Start with your phone or PC…and the internet which is a goldmine for sharing verified info from groups like Amnesty International and other Palestinian voices on the ground. Post a video, share a thread, or create an infographic that cuts through the noise. But don’t stop at the screen. Get out there! Join a protest, organize a vigil, or host a community hui to talk about what’s happening. Movements like Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) show how collective action can shake things up.
Today, Aljazeera reported:
Amid international indifference to the continuing genocide in Palestine, the Pope used his last address to call for a ceasefire.
Pope Francis died today at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness. Just yesterday, in his Easter Sunday address in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church chose to express his “closeness to the sufferings of Christians in Palestine and Israel, and to all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people”.
He went on to state that he was “think[ing] of the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation” – a toned-down reference, of course, to Israel’s ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, which has officially killed more than 51,200 Palestinians since October 2023.
We need to hit them where it hurts: their wallets. Economic pressure is your secret weapon. BDS has a hit list of companies tied to the conflict, like Hewlett-Packard, which supplies tech to Israeli forces. Boycott these brands. Check your KiwiSaver or pension fund. Does it invest in dodgy companies? Demand divestment or swap providers. Even small choices, like buying from businesses that back Palestinian rights or donating to Gaza charities, add up. It’s like refusing to buy from a dodgy fish-and-chip shop...enough of us say no, and they’ll feel the pinch.
Then there’s political advocacy. Governments aren’t untouchable; they’re swayed by people like you. Fire off an email to your MP demanding humanitarian aid for Gaza or an arms embargo. Ask them to put pressure on Israeli and United States diplomats to end the atrocities. Groups like Jewish Voice for Peace have templates to make it easy. Better yet, vote for candidates who give a damn about human rights and international law. Sign petitions on Change.org or join advocacy crews like CODEPINK to keep the pressure on. It’s not glamorous, but it’s like turning up to a council meeting...your voice matters when it’s heard.
Look, it’s not all smooth sailing. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a tangled mess, and misinformation can make your head spin. Plus, you might cop flak for speaking out. Stay sharp—read up on Palestinian perspectives, Israeli peace activists, and UN reports. Link arms with others, whether it’s a local activist group or an online crew, to keep the fire burning. History’s got our back here: ordinary people helped topple apartheid in South Africa showing that people power can work.
I know it might feel like it, but you’re not powerless. Share, protest, boycott, vote, and keep at it. Every action...big or small...builds a movement for peace that can’t be ignored. Let’s stand with Gaza and show the world what everyday people can do. Ka whawhai tonu mātou. Let’s keep fighting the good fight.
Below is a curated list of relevant links to help you stop the genocide in Gaza:
Economic Pressure
BDS - Boycott Targets List
Link: https://bdsmovement.net/get-involved/what-to-boycott
Description: BDS lists specific companies, like Hewlett-Packard (HP), targeted for boycotts due to their ties to Israeli forces. This resource helps readers follow your advice to boycott brands and check investments like KiwiSaver funds.
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) - Investigate Database
Link: https://investigate.afsc.org/
Description: AFSC’s database identifies companies profiting from the occupation, useful for divestment campaigns. It supports your suggestion to check pension funds and demand divestment from complicit companies.
Ethical Consumer - Boycott List
Link: https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalcampaigns/boycotts
Description: Ethical Consumer details boycott campaigns, including BDS calls against HP and others. It offers alternatives to complicit brands, aligning with your advice to make small, impactful economic choices.
Care4Gaza - Donation Support
Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/careforgaza
Description: Care4Gaza is a grassroots initiative for donating to Gaza aid, as mentioned in X posts. It supports your call to fund charities helping Palestinians directly.
Don’t Buy Into Occupation - European Financial Institutions
Link: https://dontbuyintooccupation.org/
Description: This coalition tracks European investments in companies tied to Israeli settlements, offering a model for New Zealand readers to investigate KiwiSaver or pension fund complicity, as you suggest.
Political Advocacy
Jewish Voice for Peace - Advocacy Templates
Link: https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/take-action/
Description: JVP provides email templates and advocacy tools to contact elected officials, aligning with your suggestion to email MPs for humanitarian aid or arms embargoes.
CODEPINK - Advocacy Campaigns
Link: https://www.codepink.org/palestine
Description: CODEPINK offers petitions, advocacy guides, and campaigns to pressure governments on Gaza, supporting your call to join groups like them for political impact.
Change.org - Petitions for Gaza
Link: https://www.change.org/petitions?selected_sorts=most_signatures&q=gaza
Description: Change.org hosts petitions demanding humanitarian aid and ceasefires in Gaza, making it easy for readers to sign and share, as you recommend. Ensure petitions are from reputable organizers.
Amnesty International - Take Action for Palestine
Link: https://www.amnesty.org/en/petition/demand-a-ceasefire-by-all-parties-to-end-civilian-suffering/
Description: Amnesty offers advocacy actions like petitions and letters to pressure governments, supporting your advice to demand action on international law violations.
UN Reports - Human Rights in Palestine
Link: https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/palestine
Description: The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights provides reports on Gaza, offering credible sources for readers to stay informed and advocate based on international law, as you suggest.
Additional Context and Staying Informed
Al Jazeera - Gaza Coverage
Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/tag/gaza/
Description: Al Jazeera offers up-to-date reporting on Gaza, including BDS and protests, helping readers verify information and counter misinformation, as you advise.
Electronic Intifada - Palestinian Perspectives
Link: https://electronicintifada.net/
Description: This platform amplifies Palestinian voices and covers grassroots activism, aligning with your call to read Palestinian perspectives for a fuller understanding.
Middle East Eye - Genocide Claims and Analysis
Link: https://www.middleeasteye.net/
Description: Middle East Eye covers claims of genocide in Gaza, as noted in X posts, providing context for your blog’s stance and helping readers stay sharp on the issue.
The Intercept - Israeli Peace Activists
Link: https://theintercept.com/
Description: The Intercept often features Israeli peace activists and critical perspectives on the conflict, supporting your advice to explore diverse voices, including those within Israel.
South Africa Anti-Apartheid Movement - Historical Context
Link: https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/anti-apartheid-movement-aam
Description: South African History Online details the anti-apartheid movement, providing historical context for your comparison to BDS and people power toppling oppressive systems.
