Bystanders No More

“To be a Jew means always being with the oppressed, never with the oppressors.”

Marek Edelman – last surviving leader, Warsaw ghetto uprising

Although human rights and international law is meant to apply to all people, expressing pro-Palestian sentiment has long been fraught with difficulty. In the wake of October 7th, speaking out for Palestinian human rights has become even harder, but it has never been more important to raise your voice and take action.

We at Bystanders No More, many of us recovering Bystanders, would like to make it easier for you to act in accordance with your moral compass. We know there are many reasons you might be reluctant to speak openly in support of Palestinians, against Israel’s policies, or against your government’s actions. The pro-Israel lobby is highly influential, and Israel’s broader political and social machinery is incredibly strong. It stokes fears of being called antisemitic, of losing jobs, status, colleagues, or friends, of feeling powerless, of not knowing enough, of causing offence by saying the wrong thing.

Bystanders No More is here to help. 

On this page, you will find insightful information, research, reporting and analysis by respected scholars, political scientists, activists, lawyers, academics and journalists who are rarely featured on mainstream media. We hope this will help you understand what is happening to Palestinians today and why so that you can form your own opinion and choose what actions to take. You can search by topic or by format.

We hope you find the resources here useful, thought-provoking, and inspiring as you build the confidence you need to explain your perspective and take action. 

Feel free to suggest compelling and novel content about Palestine that you think deserves a bigger audience.

Learn more

Resources

Here you will find articles, videos, interviews, conversations and speeches about the history, politics and ideologies of Israel and Palestine. 

Important as these resources are, do remember that there will always be more to learn about the ideas, decisions and events that have shaped this region – the onion will always have another layer. Don’t use this as an excuse for not taking action now. Rather take action, be challenged, learn what you want to learn and keep growing.

Videos

Palestine is a moral litmus test for the worldScholar-activist Angela Davis links Palestine to other liberatory struggles around the globe, highlighting the longstanding solidarity between Black Americans and Palestinians.

A History of Jewish Anti-Zionism: From The Communist Party to The New Left		Dr. Benjamin Balthaser is associate professor of multi-ethnic US literature at Indiana University. His book, Citizens of the Whole World: The American Jewish Left and Cultures of Anti-Zionism, is due to be out this fall (Verso).
The Algebra of GenocideChris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who was a foreign correspondent for 15 years for The New York Times, discusses genocide, censorship, and international law.
Q&A with Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territoryUN Special Rapporteur determines the threshold indicating Israel is committing the crime of genocide against the people of Palestine has been met.
A Call for HealingAuthor and trauma specialist Dr. Gabor Maté discusses Palestine and Israel from the perpective of a Holocaust survivor who has dedicated his life to studying (and working through) trauma and finding paths to repair.
“This Militaristic Approach Has Been a Failure”: Meet Hala Rharrit, First U.S. Diplomat to Quit over GazaThe first U.S. diplomat to quit over Gaza speaks with Democracy Now! to confirm diplomats understand sending military equipment to countries committing human rights abuses is a violation of domestic law.
Meet Lily Greenberg Call, First Jewish Biden Appointee to Publicly Resign over GazaThe first Jewish Biden appointee to publicly resign over Gaza talks with Democracy Now! and shares about the disconnect between Jewish values, Jewish safety, and Biden’s words and actions in the ongoing war.
Israel’s “Systematic Strategy” to Destroy PalestiniansDr. Mads Gilbert is a Norwegian physician who worked in Palestine (including at Al Shifa Hospital for 16+ years) and offers a medical professional’s perspective on the destruction of healthcare infrastructure in Gaza.
Situation in Gaza ‘traumatising’ for humanitarian aid workers: UN coordinatorMartin Griffiths, the UN Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He also noted the global trend of impunity for violence, urging stronger international efforts to address such crises.
[Video] Michael Fakhri on LinkedIn: My remarks on Gaza a few weeks ago to the UN Human Rights Council. The…Michael Fakhri is the UN expert (“Special Rapporteur”) on the Right to Food. He is generally a softly spoken academic but he gave this very serious warning about using starvation as a weapon of war in March 2024.
Naomi Klein: Jews Must Raise Their Voices for Palestine, Oppose the “False Idol of Zionism”Renowned author Naomi Klein is one of the leading progressive Jewish thought leaders in North America. She was initially supportive of Israel’s right to self defence but has since become a vocal critic of Israel and US policy.
The US Could Have Stopped Israel on Day OneProfessor and author Norman Finkelstein, named the fifth most influential political scientist in the world for the years 2000-2020, is a son of Holocaust survivors advocating for Palestinian liberation.
A world where ‘self-defence’ is used as justification for genocideProfessor and human rights attorney Noura Erakat explains the binding nature of international law and Western complicity in the ongoing tragedies in Gaza.
Endgame For Netanyahu? – Israeli Analyst Ori Goldberg Gives Devastating AssessmentOri Goldberg is an Israeli analyst, interdisciplinary scholar, and senior researcher whose work focuses on the interaction between religious faith and political behavior.
Palestinian American Dr. Walks Out of Biden Meeting, Hands Him Letter from 8-Year-Old Orphan in Gaza | Democracy Now!Palestinian-American doctor Thaer Ahmad makes a strong moral argument to elected officials and those in positions of power.
US Congressman Says Killing Civilians is A Necessary Price to Pay Award-winning, British American journalist, best-selling author and founder of Zeteo. Previous writer with Intercept, New Statesman.
The Israel Lobby with John Mearsheimer and Stephen WalJewish American political analyst and professor at Kennedy School of Government and Stephen Walt (prof at U of Chicago) make the case for the existence of an Israeli Lobby.
Nero’s GuestsChris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who was a foreign correspondent for 15 years for The New York Times, discusses genocide, censorship, and international law.
Supporting Palestinian rights is antisemitic because Israel wants it to beAbraham Gutman, an Israeli economist and writer, is an opinion staff writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Articles

No doubt’ Netanyahu preventing hostage deal, charges ex-spokesman of Families Forum | The Times of IsraelA former spokesman for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum makes the case that the Netanyahu administration has not prioritised the release of the hostages. Various reasons why are explored.
A Palestinian view of Hamas’ attack on Israel, one of the worst in Israel’s history : NPRPalestinian politician, activist, and scholar Ashrawi view of Hamas’ attack on Israel, one of the worst in Israel’s history
The US Needs to Say “No” to Israel and “Yes” to Palestine — James ZogbyJames Zogby is a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee and founder of the Arab American Institute. Here he makes the case for changing US policy.
Placing Gaza in the Broader U.S. Foreign Policy Context: an interview with Josh Paul – World Geostrategic InsightsJosh Paul worked directly in arms transfers for the U.S. State Department. He resigned in October 2023 in protest of providing weapons for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Khaled Elgindy on his book: Blind Spot: America and the Palestinians, from Balfour to TrumpKhaled Elgindy is a political analyst and former Palestinian negotiator. In this audio recording, he discusses America’s failed peacemaking efforts between Israel and Palestine with host Brene Brown.
‘Where is International Law?’ – Mustafa Barghouti Slams Western Governments’ Hypocrisy – Palestine ChroniclePalestinian politician and activist Mustafa Barghouti calls international law into question. “We are not talking about Palestine here, we are talking about the global order of the world.”
Gaza and the Breakdown of International Law | Foreign AffairsLegal scholar Oona Hathaway writes in Foreign Affairs, “The conflict in Gaza is an extreme example of the breakdown of the law of war, but it is not an isolated one.”
‘We Have to Take Sides’ – Rev Munther Isaacs Says Gaza Genocide Has Divided the World – Palestine ChroniclePalestinian Christian pastor Rev Isaac Munther makes a moral case for taking sides.
Ireland should impose sanctions on Israel to stop Palestinian deaths – activists | The IndependentPalestinian human rights leader Jabarin says that Ireland should impose sanctions on Israel to stop Palestinian deaths.
The Gaza Genocide in Western Media: Culprits of Complicity | Al-ShabakaPalestinian policy expert Hawari details Western media complicity in the conflict.
In Gaza and Ukraine, morality is the enemy of peaceStephen Walt is Professor of International Relations at KSG and Political Analyst.
A big money operation purged critics of Israel form the Democratic PartyRyan Grim is The Intercept’s D.C. Bureau Chief and the host of the podcast Deconstructed. He authors the newsletter Politics With Ryan Grim and was previously the Washington bureau chief for HuffPost, where he led a team that was twice a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and won once.
This is how AIPAC really works, The NationM.J. Rosenberg worked as a Senate and House aide, at the State Department, at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), at Israel Policy Forum, and at Media Matters For America.
Stop this slaughterArundathi Roy is an Indian author and political activist best known for her novel, God of Small Things. She is also the winner of the Pen Pinter Prize for 2024.
The Israel trip that made Jamaal BowmanCalder McHugh is an American writer and journalist
Why is it so hard to talk about Gaza, SalonSophia A. McClennen is Professor of International Affairs and Comparative Literature at the Pennsylvania State University.
What is new antisemitism? Antony Lerman is a British writer and specialist in the study of antisemitism, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, multiculturalism, and the place of religion in society. From 2006 to early 2009, he was Director of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, a think tank on issues affecting Jewish communities in Europe.
You can take away my award, but you won’t take away my voice, Maha HusseiniMaha Hussaini is an award-winning journalist and human rights activist based in Gaza. Maha started her journalism career by covering Israel’s military campaign on the Gaza Strip in July 2014. In 2020, she won the prestigious Martin Adler Prize for her work as a freelance journalist.
Why Israel’s failing strategy is making its enemy stronger, Robert PapeRobert Pape is a Palestinian politician, activist and scholar.
Tolerance is a Wasteland, Saree Makdisi – A reviewSaree Makdisi is an American literary critic and professor; specializing in eighteenth and nineteenth century British literature. He is of Palestinian and Lebanese descent. He also writes on contemporary Arab politics and culture.
Yes, it is genocideDr. Amos Goldberg is a Jewish Holocaust specialist who lives in Israel and works as the Jonah M. Machover Chair in Holocaust Studies in the Department of Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He makes the case that “the fact that what is happening in Gaza does not resemble the [Nazi] Holocaust does not mean that it is not genocide.”
Seeing Gaza Clearly by Daniel LevyDaniel Levy is the President of the U.S./Middle East Project (USMEP) and served as a senior Israeli peace negotiator. His take on why Jewish students are playing such a major role in the student protests is illuminating and hopeful.
Diary: Three GenocidesBritish-Isreali architect and professor Eyal Weizman details the Palestine conflict through the lens of Germany’s policy of extermination of Nama and Ovaherero peoples in South-West Africa (now called Namibia).

Websites


Al-Shabaka: Omar Shaban		Omar Shaban is a Palestinian commentator, writer, activist. He is the Founder and Director of the Gaza-based PalThink for Strategic Studies an independent think tank with no political affiliation. He is an analyst of the political-economy of the Middle East and is a regular writer and commentator for the Arab and international media. Founder of Palestinian groups for Amnesty International.
Jewish Voice for Labour: What is – and what is not – antisemitic misconductJewish Voices for Labour is “a community for Jewish labour party members, ex-members and never been members”.
The Palestine ExceptionFounded in 2012, Palestine Legal is an independent organization dedicated to protecting the civil and constitutional rights of people in the US who speak out for Palestinian freedom. Palestine Legal is the only legal organization in the United States exclusively dedicated to supporting the movement for Palestinian rights.
ZeteoZeteo, a newer media organization, describes itself as a movement for media accountability. They generally provide an alternative to mainstream media coverage that often ignores or denies Israel’s war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.