Kathryn Johnson previews an important meeting next week.
As war spreads, the Starmer leadership weakens and the assaults on our own democracy grow, we must reach out to a wider audience in the UK and do more to stand firm with the Palestinians.
While most Britons express horror at the impact of the conflict on civilians, far fewer know about the century-old responsibility and ongoing complicity of British Governments in the occupation and destruction of Palestine. Most were concerned that the Israeli hostages were returned but few know of the almost 11,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails – more than double pre-October 2023 – of the 4,000 held with no charge, and no trial, and that at least 400 are children. Many are concerned about rising tensions resulting in this country but few know of the strength of the Israeli lobby in our political system.
Awareness of the history and current role of Britain in Palestine has spread through our magnificent national marches and persistent local action, but too many still feel confident to say that Palestine has nothing to do with us. The mass movement standing with Palestinians is the biggest and longest lasting this country has seen, but too many are ready to complain that the marches are disrupting town centres. Despite our festivals celebrating democratic rights in this country and the remembering of those who gave their lives to achieve them, far too few understand the tightening of restrictions on those rights.
So, we need to do more. We need to find new and more creative ways of reaching out to new audiences, of linking our own struggles over the cost of living and underfunded, crumbling public services with the unimaginable suffering of the Palestinians fighting for their lives, their homes and their land.
Labour and Palestine have an amazing group of women speaking on Monday 9th March about the ongoing struggle for a Free Palestine as part of International Women’s Week activities. Please join them at 6.30 pm here.
Kathryn Johnson is an activist with Labour and Palestine.
Main image: c/o Labour Hub
Labour Hub 