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Activists and grassroots organizations across the globe have initiated a massive strike to protest against Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza. This movement, planned for Monday, aims to disrupt all aspects of public life as a show of solidarity with the Palestinians. In an impactful move, people are encouraged to abstain from work, school, and all forms of economic activity. Renowned Palestinian filmmaker Bisan Owda’s call to action encapsulates the strike’s essence, urging a pause in “economic life and daily movement.”
The Palestinian National and Islamic forces, a coalition of major Palestinian factions, have been instrumental in mobilizing this global action. Their statement underscores the strike’s purpose: “This movement stands against the open genocide in Gaza, the ethnic cleansing and the colonial settlement in the West Bank.” Muwafaq Sahwil, a key figure in the political party Fatah, expressed the strike as a direct response to the U.S. veto of the U.N. Security Council resolution for a ceasefire, telling Al Jazeera, “This is a message to the US administration that stands against the aspirations of our people.”
🚨 We join the call of the Palestinian people for a global strike on Monday December 11th to demand an immediate permanent ceasefire & for a Free Palestine!
— The People’s Forum (@PeoplesForumNYC) December 10, 2023
✊🏽 MONDAY, DECEMBER 11
9AM Action at NY Times
12PM Open Doors @ TPF
6:30PM Volunteer Session @ TPF#ShutItDown4Palestine pic.twitter.com/BlbseNOZwf
The call for action has resonated worldwide, with countries like Lebanon shutting down government offices and institutions. Mahmoud Mekkiya, Lebanon’s Council of Ministers’ secretary-general, emphasized this decision as a response to the global strike call “in solidarity with Gaza and the Palestinian people.” Additionally, the International Union of Muslim Scholars has voiced support, marking the strike as a significant form of protest.
Palestinian activist Abdullah Abu Rameh stressed the importance of this global action to Al Jazeera: “This is a war against civilians, not against Hamas.” With nearly 18,000 Palestinians killed in recent Israeli bombings, the strike represents a desperate cry for international intervention. Aitemad Muhanna-Matar, a Palestine researcher, believes this global action will impact the economies of countries supporting Israel, potentially leading to a policy reevaluation.
Israel’s intensified assault on Gaza, particularly in areas previously considered safe zones, has raised serious concerns. The violence has led to the death of more than 7,000 children in less than two months, a statistic that paints a grim picture of the situation. The widespread devastation and high civilian casualties have led to accusations of Israel using disproportionate force.
The U.S. veto of a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire has sparked global outrage. Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Biden administration’s stance, saying, “The Biden admin can no longer reconcile their professed concern for Palestinians and human rights while also singlehandedly vetoing the U.N.’s call for a cease-fire.” This sentiment reflects a growing divide within the U.S. political landscape over the issue.
As the global strike unfolds, it becomes a powerful symbol of international solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The unified message is clear: an immediate end to the violence and a serious reevaluation of policies supporting the Israeli actions in Gaza. In the words of Muwafaq Sahwil, “It is also a message from people around the world to their politicians and the international community to stand up for the Palestinian people who have been suffering from occupation for 75 years.” This global movement may be a turning point, potentially steering the course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict towards a more peaceful and just resolution.
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