Increasing the pressure for a ceasefire and for the freedom of Palestine.

There are fewer than thirty days to 7 October. South Africa has announced that its submission to the International Court of Justice falls in roughly the same period. We pray for a resolution to the killing and destruction in Gaza before then, but it is sadly unlikely — and no ceasefire will wipe away the loss of life, the injuries, the trauma or the devastation.

What we can do is coordinate and build a united effort behind the message of Palestinian freedom. While we pray, hope and apply pressure, let us also plan for mass action and messaging on 7 October.

Proactive actions

• Raise awareness among the general population — not among those who already know the struggle.
• Increase pressure on those with influence and the ability to force change.
• Build resolve and practical action — BDS, letter writing, creating content, training skills.
• Recognise and remember the children, women, aid workers, journalists and those who gave their lives.
• Plan for Palestine’s freedom day — to help, treat, repair and rebuild lives and infrastructure.
• Research and pursue legal action through our own legal system against the perpetrators, funders, supporters and enablers of the occupation and the violence.
• Teach our children — speech contests, story writing, art, poetry, song — about human rights, freedom struggles, colonialism and history.
• Engage politicians, senior civil servants, diplomats, religious leaders, rights bodies, civic society and anyone who can make a difference.

And play defence

We must also anticipate and plan to counter the Zionist political lobby; the Hasbara narrative on media and social media; provocations or actions staged to discredit the movement; violence that undermines the effort; extremism and hate being sown; and efforts to divide our collective conscience.

Share the responsibility

No one can do everything. We must plan and unite so that we do not waste resources, time and effort on duplication and confusion. Division only serves the oppressor.

Our greatest challenge is that we need to let others lead in certain areas, and stop trying to control and direct every action — even where it does not align entirely with our own ideas or norms. Too many different actions will destroy the effort.

Coordinate. Communicate. Network.

Let us also remember the many other innocent children, women and men suffering the consequences of war, oppression, famine and destruction — in Sudan, Yemen, Kashmir, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, across Africa and elsewhere.

Contact SAMNET on info@samnet.co.za or WhatsApp 084 333 3979.

Shared by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) in the interest of the freedom of Palestine, stopping the killing in Gaza, and uniting the resistance to oppression.