For six months now, we have borne witness to Israel’s seemingly ceaseless violence against Gaza and Palestinians, a people whom Israel has fought to oppress and eradicate for more than seventy-five years.
Six months of global protests, swelling public disapproval of Israel’s aggression, and increasing reports of genocide in the Gaza Strip—and still our tax dollars fund the Israeli military. Still our governments facilitate arming Israel. Still our nations are complicit in genocide and the deaths of more than 33,000 Palestinians.
So what are you going to do about it?
Here are six actions you—yes, you—can take for Palestine this week. Not everyone will be able to do everything on this list, but I know you can show up for Palestine in at least one of these ways. If you’re much like me—physically able with a relatively steady income and some unallotted time each week—you should be able to do all six.
- Talk about Palestine
Keep up to date with Israel’s war on Gaza through trusted news sources and Palestinian journalists. Pay attention to action alerts and information from your local organizing campaign. Then share what you’ve learned. Encourage your friends to join direct actions. Post and re-post news and calls to action on your social media accounts. If you are participating in lawful protests, mention them to your colleagues as you recount your weekend activities. Demonstrate clear and constant solidarity with Palestinians.
- Boycott Israeli goods
The BDS Movement urges us to remember: how you spend your money matters. Check the country of origin on the label when you’re buying produce, especially things like dates, avocados, figs, peppers, and oranges, and commit to not bring home anything grown in Israel. Opt for store brand and other hummus alternatives to Sabra. Avoid Ahava cosmetics, and choose one of the many competitors to SodaStream for your sparkling water needs. Close your Barclays bank account. Look into more specific product and service boycotts relevant to your country or region
In the same vein, boycott Eurovision—don’t watch broadcasts, vote for acts, stream songs, or discuss the contest on social media as long as the European Broadcasting Union refuses to ban Israel. (Russia has been banned since 2022.)
- Write to your representatives
Pressure politicians to take action for Palestinians. Write to demand a ceasefire in Gaza (US, UK) and to halt weapons sales to Israel (US, UK). Become a thorn in their side until justice prevails.
- Donate
Invest in Palestinian lives. Help send humanitarian aid and human rights observers with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Set up a recurring donation with Medical Aid for Palestinians, Anera, or the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Become a member of your local Palestine Solidarity Campaign or equivalent organization.
- Attend protests
There is strength and encouragement in numbers. Join protests to physically, tangibly ally yourself with Palestinians, to demonstrate your commitment to both fellow justice-seekers and passersby, and to strengthen the public presence of the pro-Palestinian movement. Learn some protest chants, invite a friend, and know your rights (US, Canada, England & Wales, Scotland).
- Participate in direct actions
All actions are more effective when taken in concert with others. Find a campaign in your city, country, or community through Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (global), the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (UK), or by connecting with organizers in person or via social media. Your local movement will have goals and targets that you are uniquely well positioned to work toward, such as organizing an anti-apartheid boycott among local businesses, pressuring local education and research institutions to join the academic boycott of Israeli universities, pushing your trade union to commit to solidarity with Palestinian workers, and many more opportunities to exercise your skills, location, and position for the freedom and flourishing of Palestinians.
