As anarchists, we know well that governmental or state structures are not a true representation of, nor are they interchangeable with, the individuals who reside within their borders. In response to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, it is important that we, as activists and allies, demand accountability from the proper place: governments that, as is so common throughout history, prioritize their imperialist aims over human life. If we are distracted by rhetoric that treats any people group like a monolith, it erroneously conflates opposition to the state with opposition to that people group. There are many antisemitic tropes and ideas circulating around this issue, but as the many Jewish activists who have led initiatives, gone to protests, spoken out publicly, or even been arrested in recent weeks can attest, opposition to the Israeli state and antisemitism are by no means analogous.
Jewish-led opposition to the state of Israel is multifaceted, and has a long history. But as is often the case, the tireless efforts of these activists in the pursuit of justice and peace often go unrecognized by the mainstream media, or are even decried as traitorous. While the US media mourns Israeli civilian casualties with commensurate gravity, the plight of Palestinian civilians has not been accorded the same importance.
In the face of this discourse and the heartbreaking violence afflicting the civilians of Gaza, to which many of us bear witness in harrowing real-time via social media, it is imperative that we do not remain silent. Looking to the actions of the people who are standing up for Palestine can empower us to speak out ourselves, with sensitivity and courage.
Following the recent escalation of violence, protesters took to the streets in many cities across the US and Canada—and around the world. Many of these protests were organized and led by people of Palestinian origin, but religion and nationality were no barrier. People from all walks of life have felt compelled to show up for Palestine, and the pressure on global holders of power is measurable.
On October 13th, activists with Jewish Voice for Peace1 led a gathering outside Senator Chuck Schumer’s Brooklyn residence. “As Jews, so much of this is done in our name, and we say we refuse.” Talia Baurer,2 a spokesperson for JVP, told AJ+ news. “As Jews, we unequivocally call for an end to the genocide happening at this very moment in Gaza.” Those arrested alongside Baurer included rabbis, descendants of Shoah survivors, and two assembly members from Queens— Zohran Mamdani and Marcela Mitaynes.
Central to this togetherness must be holding space for Palestinian voices. Across social media, there are many Gazans—from schoolchildren to physicians—bravely sharing their experiences for the world to witness, in the hope that the brutality will end. As activists, one of the most important things we can do is seek out these voices and ensure they are heard.
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“This is Bisan from Gaza. I’m still alive,” says filmmaker Bisan Owda6 at the opening of each video she posts, chronicling her daily experiences after being forced from her North Gaza home. Journalist Plestia Alaqad7 also recorded video diaries through the destruction of her home, continuing to film as bombs fell so close that the blast wind moved her hair. Days later, she shared the account of Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, survivor of the bombing of Al-Ahli Hospital.8 Yara Eid, a journalist living in London, shared the news that her best friend and more than thirty members of her family— seventeen of whom were children—had been killed in the span of a few days.9 “I cannot imagine how I would survive the next few years without my family by my side,” she said. “The sheer volume of the massacres that are being committed every single day meant that my family’s massacre has not been reported on the news. And that’s why I’m… trying to talk about them.” Documentation like theirs is an integral part of the historical record, unable to be erased or ignored. This content, much of which is made in English for international consumption, echoes powerfully across social media, met with an outpouring of empathy and increased motivation for those abroad to act.
Labor unions have played a role as well, using social media to gain support for their campaigns.10 Palestinian workers’ unions have put out an international call for all unions in relevant industries to refuse to do any work that contributes to the Israeli war machine. These labor actions have precedents throughout history, following in the footsteps of actions against South African apartheid and the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.11 A petition has been circulating social media, sponsored by UFCW 3000 and signed by several other unions, to demand that the US government press Israel for an immediate ceasefire.12 Starbucks has filed a lawsuit against Workers United because a social media account representing unionized Starbucks workers made a post condemning the genocide in Gaza.13 Workers United has countersued, intent on fighting the corporation. For some months, over 1000 Amazon and Google workers have been calling on their employers to terminate their contract for surveillance technology—Project Nimbus—with the Israeli government. They have been using the hashtag #notechforapartheid to spread the word, inciting people all over the world to join their call.14
On a personal level, too, international allies have used their social media to speak up for Palestine and encourage action. Conner,15 a Palestinian American critical care nurse, has taken to social media to share his insights on the dire situation in Gaza’s hospitals. “This is unimaginable violence. This is a calamity… I can’t imagine anything scarier than a dark hospital without the whirr of machines,” he said. “You have immense power and privilege as a citizen of the West; please use it for my people.” Jewish novelist and trans anarchist activist Sim Kern16 exhorted their fans to “meet this moment with the greatest moral urgency” of their lives. “I know that speaking out can have consequences,” they said, “but how can you live with yourself if you stay silent?”
As we speak out against this genocide and extend our support to the Palestinian people, we must not allow our condemnation to extend to the Jewish community itself, nor rely on antisemitic tropes and conspiracies as part of our opposition to the actions of the Israeli state. Culpability belongs to the governments and systems of power which command and facilitate these atrocities. Losing sight of the longstanding and systemic nature of this injustice allows those systems to grow stronger at human expense, and can undermine our ability to seek relief, justice, and equity for the Palestinian people and all others oppressed by it. As anarchists, we fight hegemonic systems of power in pursuit of the liberation of people. Underneath all the complexities of this situation lies a simple and familiar struggle—one from which we cannot afford to look away.
Citations
1. Jewish Voice for Peace. (n.d.). Home page. https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org
2. AJ+ [@ajplus] (2023, October 14). “My grandfather survived Auschwitz and that is why I fight for a free Palestine.” The words of Talia Baurer from [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7qCEBe/
3. IfNotNow (n.d.). Homepage. https://www.ifnotnowmovement.org
4. IfNotNow [@ifnotnoworg] (2023, October 17). Breaking: Hundreds of American Jews are holding a sit-in at Congress and we won’t leave until Congress calls for a ceasefire [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7bwfW6/
5. Klein, N. [@NaomiAKlein] (2023, October 17). Being outraged alone does nothing. Being outraged together builds possibilities. If you possibly can, come to DC tomorrow to call [Tweet]. Twitter. https://x.com/NaomiAKlein/status/1714350250687938592?s=20
6. Owda, B. [@wizard_bisan1] (2023, October 14) Targeting medical staff and ambulance crews in Gaza [Video]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyaS3mnMdyH/
7. Alaqad, P. [@byplestia] (2023, October 9) Day 3… Still alive… [Video]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyLgScwMiH3/
8. Alaqad, P. [@byplestia] (2023, October 18) Yesterday, the Israelis bombed Al Ahly Hospital aka Al Maamdani Hospital… around 1,000 civilians were martyred… Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta [Video]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyiF-aXLsHj/
9. Eid, Y. [@eid_yara]. (n.d.). 14 beautiful souls gone just like that. Half of my family is gone. These are the pictures of only 4 [Instagram Reel]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CygaXwgM3gs/
10. Bradbury, A., & Leon, L. F. (2023, October 19). US unions call for ceasefire in Gaza. Labor Notes. https://labornotes.org/blogs/2023/10/us-unions-call-ceasefire-gaza
11. Middle East Research and Information Project. (2023, October 16). Palestinian Trade Unions Call for an End to Arming Israel. MERIP. https://merip.org/2023/10/palestinian-trade-unions-call-for-an-end-to-arming- israel/
12. UFCW 3000. (2023). The US Labor Movement Calls for Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine [Online petition]. EveryAction. https://secure.everyaction.com/w1qW7B3pek2rTtv9ny5bqw2
13. Durbin, D.-A. (2023, October 18). Starbucks, Workers United union sue each other in standoff over pro-Palestinian social media post. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/economy/starbucks-workers-united-union-sue-each-other-in-standoff-over-pro-palestinian-social-media-post
14. No Tech for Apartheid. (2022). No tech for apartheid [Online petition]. NoTechForApartheid. https://www.notechforapartheid.com
15. Nurse Conner. [@nurse.conner] (2023, October 25). The healthcare system in Gaza has collapsed [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8kWrGof/
16. Kern, S. [@simkern] (2023, October 17). Speak up [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7bXgFh/