Here are some policies that governments could adopt to de-escalate the conflict and build peace with justice. Each country is different, so please check what your government is doing or not doing on any given issue. Given the power of the Israel lobby and its international allies, no government is likely to do everything it could do without considerable bottom-up pressure. Concerted pressure by “neutrals” could play a big role in changing how politicians think and act, and there are many ways to exert this pressure – lobbying elected officials, lobbying the media, using social media or supporting organisations.
We will cover the following policies in this order, which is our understanding of what is most important and urgent. Please tell us if you think there are other policies we should be featuring.
- A. A. An immediate and permanent ceasefire, sufficient humanitarian provision, adequate funding for UNRWA and solid protection for humanitarian staff
- B. A ban on the export of weapons to Israel
- C. Legal accountability – support for the ICC and the ICJ
- D. Release of all illegally detained persons
- E. Ensure the international media and UN have unhindered access to Palestine
- F. Recognition of the state of Palestine
Call for an immediate & permanent ceasefire with a huge increase in humanitarian aid
What is a ceasefire?
It is the process of suspending any and all attacks through war or armed conflict on a region and its people.
Why immediate and permanent?
Since October 7th 2023, Israel intensified its military activity in Gaza and launched a devastating military campaign. It is reported to have killed nearly forty thousand people and wounded over eighty thousand. There are, however, strong reasons for concluding that the actual numbers are probably three times these reported numbers.
In its assaults, Israel has systematically attacked healthcare systems and aid professionals, creating a burden of care no current healthcare infrastructure in Gaza can take on. The UN estimates that 1 million plus Palestinians are facing death by starvation by mid-July 2024.
An immediate and permanent ceasefire is necessary to combat an impending famine and to provide displaced, wounded and disabled Palestinians access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.
How can you help?
International aid agencies have confirmed they can mobilize as soon as Israel allows land access and stops military action. However, the main agency providing aid, UNRWA, has recently seen its major donor, the USA, cut funding and political support.
Advocate locally for your governments to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Push your local representatives and governments to start/ continue funding UNRWA.
[Read More: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States]. Several countries that have recognised Palestinian sovereignty have yet to commit to funding UNRWA.