The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a historic resolution which called on Isreal to end its unlawful occupation. Shamefully, the British government abstained.
By Peter Leary
For almost a year, we have born witness to one of the darkest moments in the Palestinian people’s enduring struggle for liberation. In less than two weeks’ time, we will mark one year of Israels genocidal assault upon the people of the Gaza Strip – a genocide that has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, with thousands more missing presumed dead.
Now, not only is that genocide continuing, but alongside attacks on Palestinians right across their homeland we face the escalating violence against Lebanon, that began with what can only be described as acts of terrorism, followed by bombardment. More than 600 killed in just the past few days, as Isreal attempts to provoke a wider regional war.
In recent hours, the occupant of Downing Street – Keir Starmer – and other western leaders have issued calls for restraint and even for a ceasefire. But calling for a ceasefire, and calling for restraint, while continuing to supply weapons and refusing to apply any meaningful pressure on Israel to stop the slaughter, stinks of hypocrisy.
Last week, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a historic resolution supported by 70 per cent of states, which called on Isreal to end its unlawful occupation and withdraw all its forces and called on every country to cease any action that aids and assists the occupation, including trade with illegal settlements and shipping arms to Israel. Shamefully, the British government abstained.
But in the eyes of millions around the world, Israel stands condemned.
Right now, Israel is on trial for genocide. The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders – including Benjamin Netanyahu – for war crimes and crimes against humanity. And the International Court of Justice – the world court – has already judged that Israel is guilty of the crime of apartheid.
On Tuesday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa underlined this truth, telling the United Nations that ‘South Africans know what apartheid looks like and will not remain silent…while apartheid is perpetrated against others.’
Tonight, you have shown that you will not remain silent either.
On Saturday, 28 September, we will be organising a Stop Arming Israel national day of action. Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s 100 branches will be taking action right across the country.
On 5 October, we will return to the streets of London – to mark one whole year of genocide – with what will be the 20th National March for Palestine.
In the past twelve months, we have built one of the largest and most sustained protest movements in the history of this country, and on 5 October, we need you to march with us – not just in your thousands, not even in your tens of thousands, but in your hundreds of thousands, or half a million strong.
So, tell your friends, tell your family, tell your colleagues, tell your neighbours.
Join us on 5 October to send a clear message to the government, and to people of conscience around the world: End the genocide; Stop Arming Israel; Hands off Lebanon.
Because we will not be silenced. And, come rain, hail, or shine, we will be here, marching together, until Palestine is free!
- This was delivered as a speech at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign emergency protest at Downing Street, London on 26th September.
- Peter Leary is Deputy Director of Campaigns at Palestine Solidarity Campaign – you can follow him on x/twitter and follow PSC on x/twitter, facebook and instagram.
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See you Saturday