Gaza: A Few Things YOU can Do.
Firstly, The ceasefire over Gaza is a hugely welcome development, but the circumstances that existed to create the recent escalation in violence, namely occupation and blockade, still do. It isn't time now to turn away.
If you, like me, have watched the relentless bombing of Gaza this week, and seen the horrifying pictures, and imagined a terrified population of almost 2 million people, over 50% of whom are children, without the means to escape, or anywhere to go even if they had; if you, like me, have felt increasingly desperate, angry, and impotent to do anything about it, then this is for you.
A lot of people doing a little bit can, in the end, make a difference, and while it may not seem like much, there are a few simple things that you can do, to help. These are some of them:
Stand up! National demo on Saturday 24th November. Assemble 12 Noon Downing St, march to Israel's Embassy. Details including transport from outside London here:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/
...or at any of these actions (this is a continually updated list):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Iq4XZx9Vj0BDIiWzlHi2mUS0VUOn_t-prgtGGCzatQw/preview?sle=true&pli=1
Support Palestinian business by BUYING PALESTINIAN PRODUCE (the olive oil is fantastic!), here:
http://www.zaytoun.org/
If you have a Labour MP, ask them to join supporters of LFPME (Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East) - Lib Dems also have a Friends of Palestine group. (Or if not, ask them why not).
http://www.lfpme.org/lfpme-supporters
Boycott illegal Settlement produce and businesses that profit from the illegal occupation. A list can be found at the below link under 'CORPORATIONS':
http://www.whoprofits.org/
More info on the wider BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) campaign and how to get involved, here:
http://www.bdsmovement.net/
Support UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency), dedicated to Palestine refugees across the Near-East. Running schools, bringing food, medical supplies etc. to Gaza.
http://www.unrwa.org/
Or, if you're feeling more ambitious, you could always support the UNRWA Summer Games and RUN THE 2013 GAZA MARATHON (or some of it)...
http://www.unrwa.org/summergames
Add your voice to War on Want's campaign demanding implementation of an immediate 2-way arms embargo with Israel and an end to UK Government complicity in Israel's occupation of Palestine:
http://www.waronwant.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=archive&task=view&mailid=156&key=9e071b6af28c08eda8666a3ec942d511&subid=53747-0e3821f15ffb8edf5756fa132a26bcb7
Demand an end to the collective punishment of the people of Gaza by ending the blockade. Hell, you can email the US President, here:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=14376
Support Palestine's bid for UN recognition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/palestine_worlds_next_nation_uk/?dbsp1115
Find out more about some of the humanitarian work underway/needed in Gaza (and donate) at any of these links:
MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians) Gaza Appeal:
https://www.justgiving.com/Gaza-in-crisis
UNICEF:
http://www.unicef.org.uk/Latest/News/UNICEF-calls-for-children-to-be-protected-in-Gaza-and-Israel/
Medecins Sans Frontieres:
http://www.msf.org.uk/Occupied_Palestinian_Territory_emergency_response__20121119.news
DEC - Several others under the DEC umbrella have also launched appeals; links to Islamic Relief, Christian Aid and Save The Children campaigns can be found here:
http://www.dec.org.uk/blog/escalation-gaza-israel-conflict
Twitter @willsheaney if you want any more info.