How Can I Take a Stand Without Social Media?

Proponents of nonviolent options often gravitate towards Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS). Involvement in the BDS movement is a powerful and way of showing solidarity with Palestinians. Isolation of rogue actors through boycotts has a history of success, including playing an influential role in ending apartheid in South Africa.

• The BDS movement focuses on the collective power of the people. Rooted in community mobilization it aims at putting pressure on people in power (both government officials and corporate executives) to help stop a genocide. 
• BDS campaigns work across different fields (eg climate justice, armed conflict, Indigenous rights)  to ensure all those involved are safe. These campaigns are by design, nonviolent and anti-racist.
• Why are we advocating for a ban on exporting weapons to Israel? A key focus for the BDS movement is a ban on exporting weapons to Israel: unless Israel faces consequences of its actions, it will not change its approach. The current attacks on civilian population are being done through these weapons under the guise of self defense. However many experts consider that these attacks are a gross violation of international humanitarian law. Canada and the Netherlands have halted arms shipments to Israel over concern they could be used in ways violating international humanitarian law. The U.S. has long been by far the largest arms supplier to Israel, followed by Germany and Italy.

• Targeted Boycotts: Quakers in the USA have recently launched a website to highlight the most important companies which are arming Israel and facilitating its genocide in Gaza. Focusing action on well chosen targets is likely to be very important. The Boycat app can assist with ethical shopping choices.
• Lobbying  elected representatives to support the policies needed: Several organizations promote “clicktivism” (aka internet activism) but it will be far more effective to do a personal email or even more, see the official face to face. It’s quite possible they won’t agree with you given the views of many party leaders. But don’t despair. If enough people show they really do care (ie take the time to write a personal  letter or visit in person), then politicians will pass on this message to their leaders. This will happen in private  but don’t for a minute doubt that elected officials don’t care about potential lost votes from people they hope will support them.
• Lobby the media for more balanced and more in-depth coverage: In most countries, media coverage has been biased against Palestinians and often lacking in depth. You could get involved with organisations like the British Palestine Media Centre or if there is no such group in your country, you could  join with concerned journalists and other like-minded citizens to fill this important gap in the campaigning ecosystem.
• Lobby your organisation, profession/union or city council to support resolutions and actions  in solidarity with Palestinians. This could include writing letters or articles in professional media or speaking in favour of resolutions at key meetings.
• Build people power through grassroots activism: Take part in/help organize sit-ins, vigils, marches, protest encampments, demonstrations, and other peaceful disruptions at weapon factories, military bases, complicit universities, arms fairs, and in front of relevant government buildings.