Gardeners for Palestine
Over the weekend a UK Gardeners for Palestine solidarity statement calling for an immediate ceasefire was shared with an initial 53 signatures. The statement now has over 500 signatories. All life is sacred. The violence we are witnessing is horrific and does not serve to make anyone safe, nor bring about peace. Ceasefire now.
You can read the full statement and sign it in support here. You will also find action points on there.
Since the statement was written last week, the death toll in Gaza has increased to over 13,000 Palestinians killed by Israel, 30,000 have been injured, 48 journalists and media workers have been killed.
The terrible, indiscriminate and disproportionate bombing of civilians being held under siege is a crime against humanity and a violation of international law. Nowhere in Gaza is safe. Hospitals, schools, homes, mosques, churches and refugee camps have been bombed. 1 out of every 200 people have been killed. The current situation has been called a text-book case of genocide.
It is believed that at least 50 of the Israeli hostages taken captive on the 7th October have been killed in the bombing. No peace will come without a ceasefire and no one will be made safer through a genocide.
Some resources, articles, films, links:
Charles Eisenstein Substack newsletter, “War is always justified”
Providing an easy-to-digest introduction to how the French and British Mandates in the Middle East shaped the area in ways which still reverberate, a century on. Includes a high level overview of the beginnings of Israel and lots of jumping off points to more research/reading for furthering our understanding.
The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017 by Rashid Khalidi
Quite a dense read but invaluable, insightful and knowledgeable background to the situation.
The films will be available to view online till 22nd November. It includes the film Foragers (2022) directed by Jumana Manna depicting the dramas around the practice of foraging for wild edible plants in Palestine/Israel.
People to follow on the ground in Gaza:
Bearing witness is difficult and heartbreaking, but it also seems like the very least we can do.
The generosity, openness, compassion and wit of Jewish solidarity for Palestine. So much to learn here:
JewishCurrents online magazine
Finally, a note to acknowledge how much sadness, grief, anger and confusion there is at this time. It’s up to us to choose to be kind and generous to ourselves and each other and look out for one another. Staying engaged and awake does not mean we don’t also have to make time for nourishment and joy and replenishment. I hope you feel resourced and have access to this too. I know it can be a struggle to stay soft and healthy in hard times (which, let’s face it, is most of the time). Much love to everyone.