{"id":10529,"date":"2023-12-12T23:22:50","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T22:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/?p=10529"},"modified":"2023-12-27T14:07:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T13:07:57","slug":"the-importance-of-popular-solidarity-against-the-israeli-occupation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/10529\/the-importance-of-popular-solidarity-against-the-israeli-occupation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Popular Solidarity Against The Israeli Occupation"},"content":{"rendered":"
Demands worldwide for a ceasefire in Gaza are escalating in the wake of the tragedy faced by the people of Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, which provoked Israeli anger and led to numerous massacres. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza<\/a>, as of December 11, the number of casualties reached 18,205 Palestinians killed in the Israeli attacks on Gaza.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n The world witnessed massive solidarity on social media, as well as numerous protests and solidarity gatherings\u00a0 in addition to boycott campaigns\u00a0 worldwide, especially in Europe. Participants called for a ceasefire, condemning the massacres committed by Israeli forces.<\/span><\/p>\n[aesop_gallery id=”10510″ revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n The International Court of Justice affirmed in 2004 that Israel, as an occupying power, does not have the right to rely on Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows states to take measures in self-defense when under aggression. According to the United Nations International Organization in 1974, the General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and independence. In the same year, it adopted a resolution recognizing the Palestine Liberation Organization.<\/span><\/p>\n Rewaa Mershid, a journalist and Palestinian activist residing in Belgium who worked as a news correspondent during the wars in Gaza, commended the importance of advocating for the Palestinian cause. She highlighted the solidarity of the Belgian community with the Palestinian issue, positively influencing the government’s stance.<\/span><\/p>\n She pointed out that Western governments exhibit solidarity with the Israeli narrative. She mentioned that when organizing protests, there was increased scrutiny, and obtaining permits for demonstrations became challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n However, with documented evidence of Israeli attacks through videos and images, there has been a shift in the opinion of the European public in favor of the Palestinian cause. It has become easier to organize activities, with permits being granted within an hour. The latest protest in Belgium attracted 100,000 participants.<\/span><\/p>\n Aware that initial reports were misleading, Rewaa mentioned that the Belgian voice is now prominent during protests. Participants carried pictures of Gaza’s children killed by Israel, placing them on the doors of the Belgian Parliament, chanting and expressing their emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n We also began to receive invitations and seminars at universities to tell them about Palestine, as what happened in Gaza had begun before October 7.<\/span><\/p>\n[aesop_gallery id=”10513″ revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n\n As for the Netherlands, while covering one of the solidarity vigils in Eindhoven, Marika, an activist in the <\/span>Kozp Foundation<\/span><\/a>, said \u201cthat the pictures that we have seen since what happened in October are very shocking. Every day the same violence and continuous bombing of Gaza is repeated, and our government has not done anything. We know that what is happening began 75 years ago, but now we have become more involved in the Palestinian situation\u201d. What is happening before our eyes is \u201cgenocide that must be stopped\u201d. There are also restrictions on our publications on social media sites regarding advocacy for Palestine. We want to send a message to our government to\u201d call for a ceasefire and to take the necessary measures for that\u201d.Marika said \u201c the Dutch government does not speak on our behalf, It condones the violence taking place in Gaza. Israel is not listening to us now, but they will listen to our government\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n