If you’ve been following the news coming out of Palestine and are looking for ways to help, here are 6 tangible things you can do starting today to support the Palestinian people:
1. Educate yourself
It has never been easier than it is today to learn about the history of Israel-Palestine and the situation for people on the ground today. In fact, we’re about to make it even easier – here are a few resources that will help you learn more:
Reading / watch lists:
- History books on Palestine – @samarreads
- Novels about Palestine – @samarreads
- Library – Decolonise Palestine
- 20 Must-See Documentaries and Films about Palestine – Savoir Flair
- 13 essential books to help you understand Palestine – Pink Jinn
Explainer posts and guide:
- Everything you need to know about Israel-Palestine – Vox
- Resources – Institute for Middle East Understanding
- About Anything But Religion – @key48return
People to follow:
- Mohammed ElKurd @mohammedelkurd – Palestinian writer in Sheikh Jarrah
- Muna ElKurd @muna.kurd15 – Palestinian journalist sharing events on the ground in Sheikh Jarrah
- Subhi Taha @itsmesubhi – Palestinian American posting educational videos
- Ahmed Eldin @ahmedeldin – Palestinian American journalist
- Lara @gazangirl – Palestinian American lawyer and activist from Gaza
- Institute for Middle East Understanding @theimeu
- Noura Erekat @4noura – Human Rights Attorney and Professor
2. Share information and show solidarity online
Spreading the word is so important, especially as social media platforms have begun to censor content relating to Palestine including live footage from on the ground. Getting the word out has never been more important. It goes without saying to be careful what you share – only share content when you trust the sources.
If you can, try to share content that deconstructs some of the frequent misconceptions around the conflict, for example posts that highlight the difference between being pro-Palestine and anti-Semitic. This is so important because it’s one of the reasons why people are often afraid to engage with the Palestinian issue. Many people are scared to even ask questions in case they are labelled anti-Semitic, so use your platform to highlight these nuances!
3. Donate to charities working with victims of violence
If you want to donate to help the most vulnerable victims of violence, here are a few charities you can support:
- UNICEF State of Palestine Appeal – Providing conflict and disaster-affected children with access to water, sanitation, nutrition, education, health and protection services.
- Islamic Relief USA – Urgent Call for Palestine – Their various projects in Gaza and the West Bank include providing food assistance, water, sanitation, hospital capacity and vocational training programmes, along with supporting vulnerable orphans and women-headed families.
- Islamic Relief UK – Save Palestine: Palestine Emergency Appeal – Funding life-saving aid including medical care and food packs for vulnerable families, and supporting people through the Covid-19 pandemic.
- International Development and Relief Foundation Canada – Palestine Urgent Appeal – Supplying urgent medical equipment for the victims of Al-Aqsa, critical emergency medical aid in Gaza, distributing food parcels and (in the coming weeks) rehabilitating homes damaged in Gaza.
4. Buy from businesses that support Palestinians
There are so many beautiful businesses and social enterprises that are either owned by Palestinians or supporting vulnerable Palestinian people. Here are a few to check out – make sure you follow them on social media, like and share their beautiful posts, and most importantly, buy their gorgeous products!
- Olive & Heart – Fair trade, organic olive oil sources from Palestinian farmers.
- Handmade Palestine – Fairtrade brand from Ramallah empowering local Palestinian artisans.
- Sitti Soap – Social enterprise creating long term income-generating opportunities with and for the refugee community. All natural olive oil soap and much more.
- Hilweh Market – A gift boutique featuring curated goods from Palestine and the greater Arab World.
- KUVRD – Arab heritage streetwear company celebrating Middle Eastern identity and supporting refugee camps by providing meals and jobs.
- Zaytoun – UK-based brand selling ethically sourced Palestinian fine foods including dates and olive oil.
- Rania’s Road – Palestinian ceramicist Rania Makhlouf from Haifa creating stunning handcrafted jewellery.
- Palestine on a Plate – Palestinian chef and cookbook author offering cooking classes that celebrate traditional Palestinian cuisine.
- Nol Collective – An intersectional feminist and political fashion collective selling garments made in Palestine.
- Rami Kashou – Palestinian designer selling kefiyyeh inspired clothing and tatreez face coverings, supporting local artisans.
- el Bustan Palestinian Shop – London-based Palestinian home & lifestyle online shop, promoting Palestinian traditional & contemporary makers, designers, artisans and artists.
- Habibi Worldwide – Sock shop selling designs inspired by the Arab World with 20% of the profits going to support Palestinian and Syrian entrepreneurship.
5. Boycott companies that profit from the illegal occupation and human rights abuses
If you want to use your purchasing power to stand against the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by Israeli settlers, here are a few companies to avoid:
- Airbnb, Booking.com and Trip Advisor: Condemned by human rights organisations including Amnesty International for profiting from war crimes by listing homes in illegal Israeli settlements.
- Angel Bakeries: profits from the occupation by operating in illegal settlements and therefore also using Palestinian resources including land and water.
- Caterpillar: Sells equipment to the Israeli government which is used to commit human rights abuses and war crimes, including the demolitions of homes and the construction of illegal settlements on Palestinian land.
- Hewlett Packard (HP): The exclusive provider of computers to Israeli military and other occupation forces, which are used within the context of war crimes and human rights violations. Also provides the servers that house Israel’s population registry, which is the basis of Israel’s ID card system. This in turn forms a core part of the Israeli regime’s tiered system of citizenship and residency that privileges Israel’s Jewish population and gives inferior status and rights to Palestinians.
- Motorola: provides surveillance equipment used in illegal settlements, the separation walls and checkpoints in Gaza and the West Bank, including radars and cameras that can detect movement outside settlements. It was installed as part of Israel’s “Special Security Area” plan, under which Palestinians are prevented access to areas around certain illegal settlements, even if it is their land. Also also provides the Israeli Police with its main tactical communication system and has contracts with the Israeli Prison Service and the Population and Immigration Authority, which both play critical roles in Israel’s occupation apparatus.
- Puma: The main sponsor of the Israeli Football Association (IFA), which includes six football teams based in illegal settlements in the West Bank.
- Sabra Hummus (owned by PepsiCo and the Israeli Strauss group): Operates in the occupied territories, using natural resources designated for Palestinians and profiting from the occupation. Also, according to a page of its website that has since been removed, the Strauss Group provided food aid to the Golani Brigade, a division of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) centered in the Golan Heights that is reputed for human rights abuses.
Top tip: Download the app Buycott to scan products as you shop to see if they or their parent companies and affiliates profit from the illegal occupation of Palestine.
6. Write to your local political representative
If you’re concerned that your government is not holding the Israeli state accountable for its actions, it’s never been quicker or easier to send a letter to your MP. In fact, there are various platforms and campaigns which have ready-drafted emails so all you need to do is enter your details and hit send!
If you’re in the UK, click here to write to your MP asking them to take action against the forcible evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, using the handy form and letter created by Friends of Al-Aqsa.
If you’re in the US, click here to email Secretary of State Blinken requesting him to end the cycle of Israeli impunity and violations through UN Security Council action, using the template letter drafted by Amnesty International.
We hope this post has given you some ideas about how you can support Palestinian rights and freedoms and stand up against illegal occupation, human rights abuses and war crimes. Remember, the most important thing we can do is continue to educate ourselves and ask hard questions, even if this means challenging ourselves, our beliefs and our privileges.