This article was originally published on October 16

On Saturday October 7, Hamas militaries launched an assault on Israel, taking hostages and killing over 1,300 Israelis, including hundreds of civilians, some of whom were children. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and launched a bombing campaign against Gaza, cutting off its water, electricity and fuel supplies, and ordering over one million of its inhabitants to evacuate from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip. The death toll in Gaza is now estimated to be around 2,383, a figure which includes hundreds of children. Israel has been accused of committing numerous violations of international law, including the evacuation order, described by the UN as a form of “forcible population transfer”; the collective punishment of civilians, and the use of white phosphorus, a chemical weapon that is illegal in heavily-populated civilian areas.

While many political leaders in the West are now calling for Israel to show restraint, the British government has refused to condemn the evacuation order, while Keir Starmer initially claimed that Israel had “the right” to starve Palestinian civilians of water and electricity. The situation in Gaza is getting worse every day, as the bombing continues and an almost unimaginable number of people are being displaced. Gaza – often described as an ‘open-air prison’ – has existed under an Israeli blockade for over 17 years, which has had a disastrous impact on its infrastructure and ability to provide essential services, and left it especially vulnerable to this latest catastrophe. Many of its inhabitants are refugees from elsewhere in Palestine, who are now being displaced for a second time.

It is easy to feel powerlessness when confronted with this level of death and suffering on either side, but there are things that all of us can do to call for an end to violence and the safety of civilians. Here are some ways that you can help.

DONATE

Donating is one of the quickest and most effective ways you can support victims of the violence in Gaza right now. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is a UK-based charity supporting Palestinians and aims to create “a future where all Palestinians can access an effective, sustainable and locally-led system of healthcare, and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity”. They work with trusted local partners in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and Lebanon to provide access to essential health services and equip locals with the skills needed to address health issues.

Right now, MAP is working on the ground in Gaza to provide immediate medical aid to Palestinians impacted by the ongoing violence. Their Emergency Appeal is providing essential drugs, disposables and healthcare supplies to hospitals struggling to cope with the number of people needing treatment. You can donate to MAP here.

LOOK OUT FOR MISINFORMATION

Falsehoods regarding the conflict are everywhere. Last week, a clip depicting a young boy lying in a pool of fake blood went viral: some claimed it was a video depicting Israelis creating propaganda, and others argued it showed Palestinians doing the same. In reality, the clip is a behind-the-scenes shot from a Palestinian short film, Empty Place, which was released in 2022, and was filmed long before Hamas’ recent assault on Israel on October 7.

It’s vital to think critically about the source of any information you see regarding the current situation in Gaza, and ask questions when engaging with the news or any related content on social media. Where did this information come from? Who is sharing this? What motivations or biases does this organisation or individual have? Are they a credible source? If you’re unsure of a report’s reliability, it can be worth reverse image searching any pictures and Googling any unsubstantiated claims to see if they can be backed up with more solid evidence.

Be careful that you don’t end up inadvertently resharing false information, too. It’s great that social media allows us to amplify stories of injustice, and it’s good if you want to use your platform to speak out about the ongoing conflict. But first ask yourself if what you’re sharing is helpful or accurate. Many people are now learning more about the history that has led up to this current situation, and you don’t need to live-tweet your educational journey. If in doubt, it’s better to not post than share something false.

LEARN THE HISTORY

Since the Hamas attack last Saturday, there have been a wave of posts assuring us that it’s valid not to have an opinion, TikToks explaining the situation to you like you’re a five-year-old, and people releasing official statements informing their followers that they’re not going to release an official statement. If you really don’t feel well-informed enough to comment, that’s fair enough, and probably better than saying something stupid. But instead of just throwing up your hands and declaring that the situation is too complex for you to possibly take a view, why not take this as an opportunity to learn more about it? For citizens of the USA, the UK and just about every country in the West, the occupation of Palestine is not some far-away conflict, but a situation in which our elected representatives are directly involved (or, in the case of the US, funding to the tune of billions of dollars a year.) We should have an opinion.

For up-to-date reporting, commentary and analysis, one excellent resource is +972, an online magazine which is based in Tel Aviv and run by a group of Israeli and Palestinian journalists. While it platforms a range of views, +972 generally takes a critical stance against occupation and apartheid, covering topics like settler violence, the displacement of Palestinians, and rising authoritarianism within Israel. Over the last week, it has published a number of articles about the political ramifications of Hamas’s attack and the ongoing bombardment of Gaza, which are far more insightful, balanced and well-informed than what you’ll typically encounter in the British media.

There are also plenty of resources available to help you understand the historical context. Decolonize Palestine is a website that provides accessible explainers and debunks a range of popular myths, all from an anti-colonial perspective. For a concise and straightforward introduction, On Palestine, a book by Noam Chomsky and Israeli historian Ilan Pappe, does a good job of explaining some of the key issues and concepts (‘two-state solution’, for example) which get bandied around whenever Palestine is in the news. If you want to delve in deeper, Rashid Kalidi’s The Hundred Years War on Palestine, offers a more comprehensive history, from the British Empire’s first declaration of support for the founding of Israel to the military attacks on Gaza which took place in the 2000s and 2010s.

WRITE TO YOUR MP

If you are British, you’re not really in a position to exert any pressure on Hamas or the IDF, neither of whom are likely to be glued to your Instagram story at this particular time. What we can do, however, is influence our own politicians. The death toll in Gaza is rising every day (at least 600 children have been killed so far, although some estimates put the figure much higher), around half a million people have been displaced, and a UN human rights expert has warned that Palestinians are in grave danger of “a mass ethnic cleansing”. It is therefore urgent that Britain upholds international humanitarian law and works to establish an immediate ceasefire. Emailing your MP is a good way of making your voice heard – if you’re unsure about what to say, MAP has provided a list of demands to include.

UPDATE, 25/10/2023: There is now an 'early day motion' (a motion submitted for debate in parliament) to call for an immediate ceasefire, which a growing number of MPs have signed. Both Labour and the Tories have rejected calls for a ceasefire, so it’s a good idea to email your MP and ask them to sign this motion.

PROTEST

You can always make your voice heard through protest, too. Hundreds of thousands of people attended pro-Palestine marches which took place across the UK at the weekend, with many more around the world joining rallies calling for an end to the bombing of Gaza.

If you didn’t attend a protest last weekend, there’s another march taking place in London on October 28, starting from Victoria Embankment at 12pm, and it’s always worth keeping an eye out for future opportunities to get involved in collective action.

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