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Conflict in the Middle East

What steps can we take to help the Palestinians?

112 replies

Finallyloggedin · 08/05/2024 22:50

I appreciate that there is little we can do on a personal level and we really need our government to step up but with the situation so dire, I thought it might be useful to have a thread to share ideas on steps we can take to offer support in as many ways as possible.

My ideas so far are:

  • attend local demonstrations
  • if possible, donate to UNWRA or other aid agencies working in Gaza.
  • Write to David Cameron and your local MP via the PSC template https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/rafah then circulate as widely as possible
  • close any Barclays Bank accounts.
  • Take part in the global financial strike on Friday. I read about this online and I need to find the details again. I think the idea is to spend no money at all on Friday, in order to send a shockwave through the global markets. I appreciate that realistically not enough people will probably take part in this for it to have an impact, but I’m just thinking I will try to do it as it’s an action I can take. I will add a link to the information when I can find it.
  • Boycott - BDS https://bdsmovement.net/Act-Now-Against-These-Companies-Profiting-From-Genocide
  • boycott Eurovision

If anyone can add actions we can take, please do. I am feeling so horrified and powerless, I just thought it would be good to know of every single way to help,

Emergency in Rafah - Urgent Action Now

https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/rafah

OP posts:
MrsJimmyPerez · 08/05/2024 23:06

Organise demonstrations calling for Hamas to release all the hostages.

Northwood456 · 08/05/2024 23:32

Mumsnet seems to be the only place where people still think this is about hostages. It isn’t about hostages. It’s about people being disturbed by the ongoing mass murder of children, and people STILL say this would be stopped if the hostages were released. That isn’t the case. Nethanyhu wants the hostages and the go-ahead to keep murdering Palestinian children after a six week break. Who would accept that deal? Don’t know why I’m bothering writing this. If you’ve got this far and still think Israel just needs the hostages back then there’s not much hope.

OP, I hope people come forward with some useful responses.

eomeoni · 09/05/2024 01:42

Finallyloggedin · 08/05/2024 22:50

I appreciate that there is little we can do on a personal level and we really need our government to step up but with the situation so dire, I thought it might be useful to have a thread to share ideas on steps we can take to offer support in as many ways as possible.

My ideas so far are:

  • attend local demonstrations
  • if possible, donate to UNWRA or other aid agencies working in Gaza.
  • Write to David Cameron and your local MP via the PSC template https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/rafah then circulate as widely as possible
  • close any Barclays Bank accounts.
  • Take part in the global financial strike on Friday. I read about this online and I need to find the details again. I think the idea is to spend no money at all on Friday, in order to send a shockwave through the global markets. I appreciate that realistically not enough people will probably take part in this for it to have an impact, but I’m just thinking I will try to do it as it’s an action I can take. I will add a link to the information when I can find it.
  • Boycott - BDS https://bdsmovement.net/Act-Now-Against-These-Companies-Profiting-From-Genocide
  • boycott Eurovision

If anyone can add actions we can take, please do. I am feeling so horrified and powerless, I just thought it would be good to know of every single way to help,

To promote the evacuation of families that want to leave Gaza. Operation olive branch is great on Tiktok. Help support by donating to families if possible. Share the gofund me to help families reach their targets.

There are a few charities who help in the evacuation of children for medical reasons. To help them identify children who may need medical attention (this can be soul destroying but they do want people to do this). To donate to the medical cost or promote the funding of this treatment.

eomeoni · 09/05/2024 02:46

Sponsorship of orphans, many charities are looking for people to help the orphaned children.

Helping small initiatives:
Formula milk for babies in Gaza

Soup Kitchen/ Other food initiatives

Helping medical aid workers (a lot of them take supplies with them when they cross from Egypt).

LSTMS30555 · 09/05/2024 02:52

MrsJimmyPerez · 08/05/2024 23:06

Organise demonstrations calling for Hamas to release all the hostages.

💯 🇬🇧 🇮🇱

sunnydaysanddaydreams · 09/05/2024 03:07

Pressure should be put on both Israel and Hamas. More so Hamas because if they gave up the hostages they'd be less justification for Israel to go further.

Scirocco · 09/05/2024 07:46

Thank you @Finallyloggedin . It's important for us to remember that every bit of support means a lot to people, and adds up. An individual snowflake might not seem like much, but a heavy enough snowfall means children can make snowmen (and causes chaos on our roads).

One of simplest, but most powerful resources we all have is our voice. Talk with people, raise awareness, challenge inaccurate stories, challenge prejudice and dehumanising language, offer kindness and support to people around you.

So many people are affected by what's going on, and still trying to get through each day, dealing with grief and fear and doubt on top of all the stresses of daily life. Simple acts of kindness to people around you can mean a lot.

If people can, then small changes in how we each spend our money can all add up. Before making a purchase, if you can, think about the values of the company and where your money goes, and make your spending consistent with your values where you can.

There are lots of charitable projects working to support people in Palestine, and lots of ways to support, from financial donations to donating items to charity shops to volunteering.

On a personal note, I would ask people to consider supporting MSF/Doctors Without Borders, in honour of the healthcare workers risking and giving their own lives to try to save others.

And Remember. Remember what you have seen, what you have heard. There will be (and are) efforts through politics and the media to hide what is happening, to pretend people haven't said what they've said and done what they've done. Previously, it has been said that, when it comes to war, history is written by the victors. But now, with all the communication and information sharing tools to which we have access, there is a record of what is happening, shared with the world. Don't forget what happened here. Don't forget who stood by and let it happen.

LargeAmericano · 09/05/2024 08:45

MrsJimmyPerez · 08/05/2024 23:06

Organise demonstrations calling for Hamas to release all the hostages.

And to give themselves up.

It’s completely boggling that there are constant calls for Israel to stop the war but none for Hamas, who started the war, to give themselves up and surrender.

Surely that is the the single, most important thing that needs to happen to help Palestinians?

Dulra · 09/05/2024 08:55

LargeAmericano · 09/05/2024 08:45

And to give themselves up.

It’s completely boggling that there are constant calls for Israel to stop the war but none for Hamas, who started the war, to give themselves up and surrender.

Surely that is the the single, most important thing that needs to happen to help Palestinians?

Calls for a Ceasefire is for both sides

Surely that is the the single, most important thing that needs to happen to help Palestinians?
I think Hamas need to go yes, but at the moment the single most important thing that needs to happen to help Palestinians in Gaza is to stop the bombings, and killings and let humanitarian aid in and people on the ground that can work with and support the Palestinians to get food, medial supplies, shelter and respite.

Dulra · 09/05/2024 09:00

eomeoni · 09/05/2024 01:42

To promote the evacuation of families that want to leave Gaza. Operation olive branch is great on Tiktok. Help support by donating to families if possible. Share the gofund me to help families reach their targets.

There are a few charities who help in the evacuation of children for medical reasons. To help them identify children who may need medical attention (this can be soul destroying but they do want people to do this). To donate to the medical cost or promote the funding of this treatment.

Edited

Help support by donating to families if possible. Share the gofund me to help families reach their targets.
What does reach their targets mean? Do people have to pay to get out of Gaza or is it for funds once they manage to leave?

To donate to the medical cost or promote the funding of this treatment
Why isn't this being funded, it beggars belief that they would have to fund their own medical treatment given the situation they are in.

keenforhelp · 09/05/2024 10:33

Given that so many posters have said that people living in Gaza did not actually elect Hamas, and there was nothing they can do, then we need to help the people living in Gaza by eradicating Hamas with their help.

You can't expect Israel to sit idly by and meekly accept Hamas to continue attacking them.

So let's help Palestine by campaign to free Gaza from Hamas rather than focus on a ceasefire against an administration committed to destroying their neighbours Israel.

Seems obvious to me.

So - free Gaza from Hamas, campaigns, protests, tiktoks videos etc. If you REALLY want to help Palestinians.

Noicant · 09/05/2024 10:50

I would be donating to aid charities, I’m sure going on demos makes people feel very good but it’s not putting food in anyones mouth is it?

Noicant · 09/05/2024 10:52

Dulra · 09/05/2024 09:00

Help support by donating to families if possible. Share the gofund me to help families reach their targets.
What does reach their targets mean? Do people have to pay to get out of Gaza or is it for funds once they manage to leave?

To donate to the medical cost or promote the funding of this treatment
Why isn't this being funded, it beggars belief that they would have to fund their own medical treatment given the situation they are in.

They can pay to be smuggled into Egypt, it’s about 4-5k I read somewhere. It’s miserable for them I can’t imagine the terror and hopelessness .

But yeah while Hamas are still there this isn’t going to end.

Rocknrollstar · 09/05/2024 10:53

Most of the aid goes straight to Hamas . Where do you think they got the money for the materials to build the tunnels and buy the rockets. The only way to improve the conditions of the Palestinians is to remove Hamas for ever. And don’t be fooled - if they destroy Israel, next it will be homosexuals, Christians, etc.

Tel12 · 09/05/2024 10:54

Stop buying goods produced by Israel?

kirinm · 09/05/2024 10:57

MrsJimmyPerez · 08/05/2024 23:06

Organise demonstrations calling for Hamas to release all the hostages.

Israel don't give a fuck about the hostages and have made clear over and over again that they'll continue the war whether the hostages are released or not.

keenforhelp · 09/05/2024 10:57

It seems that the OP feels that calling upon countries to condemn Israel and protests for ceasefires is really not going to help as the issue that caused the problem ie Hamas needs to be eradicated. That 50 odd million spent policing protests against Israel in the UK does not seem money well spent as it has not got rid of Hamas.

Hamas goes (the ideology will disappear too and no further Iranian proxies will rise up as Israel will give them the same treatment) and job done. Egypt and other neighbours will be delighted too.

Scirocco · 09/05/2024 11:22

It's sad that, in a thread discussing ways ordinary people can show support to victims of a humanitarian crisis and people whose loved ones are victims of that crisis, some people would still rather talk about violence.

There are many ways people can contribute, to make sure people know they are not forgotten and that what is happening will not be forgotten.

Dulra · 09/05/2024 11:26

Scirocco · 09/05/2024 11:22

It's sad that, in a thread discussing ways ordinary people can show support to victims of a humanitarian crisis and people whose loved ones are victims of that crisis, some people would still rather talk about violence.

There are many ways people can contribute, to make sure people know they are not forgotten and that what is happening will not be forgotten.

Agree
The but Hamas doesn't wash anymore. They are currently not the biggest threat to the lives of Gazans.

Hamas goes (the ideology will disappear too and no further Iranian proxies will rise up as Israel will give them the same treatment) and job done.
@keenforhelp The ideology will only disappear when Palestinians are no longer oppressed and have control and agency over their own lives and their own land.

Parkingt111 · 09/05/2024 11:49

Donate and fundraiser.
There's many many charities that are helping so I would say do your research and go with one that you feel confident in

keenforhelp · 09/05/2024 12:16

Dulra · 09/05/2024 11:26

Agree
The but Hamas doesn't wash anymore. They are currently not the biggest threat to the lives of Gazans.

Hamas goes (the ideology will disappear too and no further Iranian proxies will rise up as Israel will give them the same treatment) and job done.
@keenforhelp The ideology will only disappear when Palestinians are no longer oppressed and have control and agency over their own lives and their own land.

How far have protests and marches and social media propaganda against Israel helped the Palestinians? Come on be honest. Probably only strengthened Israel's resolve. Best to at least try at the protests to call for Hamas to go - this has not been done yet, so we won't know till we try.

Donations and fundraising to the Palestinians are a fine idea but truly hope this makes it through to the people, not the Hamas administration who will use it to buy weapons to attack Israel.

TextureSeeker · 09/05/2024 12:39

keenforhelp · 09/05/2024 12:16

How far have protests and marches and social media propaganda against Israel helped the Palestinians? Come on be honest. Probably only strengthened Israel's resolve. Best to at least try at the protests to call for Hamas to go - this has not been done yet, so we won't know till we try.

Donations and fundraising to the Palestinians are a fine idea but truly hope this makes it through to the people, not the Hamas administration who will use it to buy weapons to attack Israel.

Do you think if people hadn't have spoken out as strongly as they have multiple countries would have cut off arms supplies to Israel? Do you think Biden would have limited supplies to Israel and that he would be insistent on aid reaching Gaza? Israel started off about as hardline as you can get by announcing that they were going to starve everybody. If we all just ignored it and let Israel have their way do you really think given what they have done knowing that the world is watching them ie starving people, removing most healthcare, killing 1% of the population, destroying half of the populations homes, that if suddenly we all start saying yeah, blame Hamas for everything, Israel have no responsibility that would make Israel go oh shit starving children is actually wrong, we should really let people eat?

I think what has happened has shown that the only way to get Israel to temper themselves is for the US to threaten to/to actually remove money and weapons. Israel have shown us all what they will do if we turn a blind eye, that is why they have been killing journalists and have been refusing access to Gaza, they are trying to limit what we see because they want to be able to do whatever they like to Palestinians in peace.

keenforhelp · 09/05/2024 12:54

TextureSeeker · 09/05/2024 12:39

Do you think if people hadn't have spoken out as strongly as they have multiple countries would have cut off arms supplies to Israel? Do you think Biden would have limited supplies to Israel and that he would be insistent on aid reaching Gaza? Israel started off about as hardline as you can get by announcing that they were going to starve everybody. If we all just ignored it and let Israel have their way do you really think given what they have done knowing that the world is watching them ie starving people, removing most healthcare, killing 1% of the population, destroying half of the populations homes, that if suddenly we all start saying yeah, blame Hamas for everything, Israel have no responsibility that would make Israel go oh shit starving children is actually wrong, we should really let people eat?

I think what has happened has shown that the only way to get Israel to temper themselves is for the US to threaten to/to actually remove money and weapons. Israel have shown us all what they will do if we turn a blind eye, that is why they have been killing journalists and have been refusing access to Gaza, they are trying to limit what we see because they want to be able to do whatever they like to Palestinians in peace.

No to your first two questions as it is election year in the USA and Biden wants to get re-elected. And this is temporary anyway as the USA needs Israel as much as it needs them.

Israel has "tempered" itself and shown admirable restraint following Iran's drone and missile attacks. If Israel were doing all the things you have said intentionally, then the whole of Gaza would have been wiped out already. Hamas uses their people as human shields.

It remains my belief that my recommendations are the ones that would really truly help Palestinians.

Thank you.

eomeoni · 09/05/2024 13:47

Dulra · 09/05/2024 09:00

Help support by donating to families if possible. Share the gofund me to help families reach their targets.
What does reach their targets mean? Do people have to pay to get out of Gaza or is it for funds once they manage to leave?

To donate to the medical cost or promote the funding of this treatment
Why isn't this being funded, it beggars belief that they would have to fund their own medical treatment given the situation they are in.

What does reach their targets mean? Do people have to pay to get out of Gaza or is it for funds once they manage to leave?
People have to pay to leave Gaza from £5-10k per person. Then additional funding for renting a place in Egypt.

Why isn't this being funded, it beggars belief that they would have to fund their own medical treatment given the situation they are in.

Unfortunately yes in some cases is for the medical treatment isn’t be offered free. Also additional fundraising is to help pay for the relative that is accompanying the child.

LargeAmericano · 09/05/2024 17:29

Wow, seems there’s not much support on this board for marches calling for Hamas to give themselves up @keenforhelp.

What a surprise (not).