Why I’ve called for a global strike for Gaza this Friday
Posted: 9th May 2024
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More than a million terrified Gazans are trapped in Rafah, after Israeli forces launched an assault on the southern Gazan city on Monday. Around 600,000 are children.
As they endure relentless bombing, abject starvation and a total collapse of healthcare services, Western leaders, particularly in the US, the UK and Germany, continue to reassure the Israeli war cabinet of their support. This provides Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with impunity to continue his murderous rampage.
With politicians having all but abandoned their moral, political and legal duty to prevent genocide – and the principles of international law lying in tatters – it is left to people of conscience worldwide to stand with the people of Gaza.
Tomorrow, on Friday 10 May, people in cities around the world will take part in a Global Strike for Rafah. They won’t work, purchase any goods or services, or make any transactions on debit or credit cards – delivering a shock to the global economy that will hopefully compel political leaders to act to ensure a permanent ceasefire and prevent genocide.
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The Global Strike for Rafah initiative has no political leader or central organising body. It is fueled by individuals around the world acting as a beehive, each person committing to the cause to each of their capacity, determined to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Gaza, spread awareness of their plight and achieve collective success.
Organised strikes typically take weeks to plan, but this is different. People worldwide have stood as horrified witnesses of a prolonged genocidal campaign in Gaza over the past seven months. Despite repeated warnings from the International Court of Justice, and political leaders stating that an assault into Rafah would be unacceptable, Israel has faced little or no consequence for its ongoing breaches of international law.
We are beyond angry at the failure of the world’s political class to take concrete measures against Israel and are exasperated by the hollow words of ‘concern’ expressed by those in power. Repeated calls by legal experts, UN special rapporteurs, humanitarians, scholars and activists to implement effective sanctions and arms embargoes against Israel have fallen on deaf ears.
Our collective agony at this political impotence has now primed us for immediate and direct action. The call to strike was posted online on 7 May, and within 24 hours had reached over two million views, with thousands of people confirming their participation.
The eagerness of people to promptly join is a clear testament to fierce outrage felt by people worldwide to the actions of the Israeli government, a reminder that Israel is committing crimes against humanity, and humanity has now resolved to fight back.
Earlier this week, American rapper Macklemore released Hind’s Hall, a clarion call to people worldwide to throw off the shackles of oppression and unite for a free Palestine. He invites us to cut the strings that allow politicians and companies to dictate how our societies function. Let us deliver the call now, demonstrate our collective ability to organise a global strike and #RiseForRafah this Friday.
Disgusted by watching this genocide playing out in real time? You can join the strike too.