The ongoing crisis in Gaza demands urgent attention and action. But how can we make a difference from afar? While it may seem challenging, the resources below offer a strong starting point. Here are the seven concrete actions we can take to get started:
1. Read Accurate Resources.
- Israeli Jewish historian Ilan Pappe (The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine)
- Palestinian historian Rashid Khalidi (The Hundred Year’s War on Palestine)
- Palestinian Christian Theologians such as Mitri Raheb, Munther Isaac, Naim Ateek, Lamma Mansour, Sam Munayer, Daniel Bannoura, Shadia Qubti, Yousef Alkhoury
- Add Al Jazeera to your must watch news feed
2. Access Reliable Reports.
- Amnesty International: You Feel Like You are Subhuman; Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza
- Doctors Without Borders: Gaza: Life in a Death Trap
- United Nations: Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
- Mennonite Church Canada: Sign up for monthly PIN Updates
3. Read Reliable Websites.
4. Advocate.
- Talk with family and friends about what you are learning.
- Write or phone your Member of Parliament
- Ask them to ensure Canada supports International Law and Human Rights for Palestinians in Palestine and Israel.
- Ask for an end to the free trade agreement between Israel and Canada. (CIFTA)
- Ask for Canada to hold Israeli lawmakers and politicians accountable for war crimes in the Gaza genocide.
5. Support local. Show up at events.
- Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM)
- Islamic Relief
- Mennonite Church Canada Palestine-Israel Network
- Independent Jewish Voices
6. Spend money wisely.
- Boycott Israeli products: BDS Movement
- Support fair trade olive oil from Palestine: Zatoun
- Eat out at local Palestinian restaurants and shop at Palestinian grocery stores.
- Donate to organizations funding humanitarian aid to Gaza and West Bank.
7. Pray.
- For a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
- For an end to the Israeli illegal occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
- For the courage to speak for a non-violent solution to ending the settler colonial conquest of Palestine by the State of Israel assisted by western allies.
Through informed action, advocacy, and prayer, we can contribute to peace and justice for all Palestinians.
For further information, see: Mennonite Church Manitoba Palestine-Israel Network
Sandra Stewart is a member of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in Winnipeg. Originally from Windsor, ON she has spent most of her religious life in Manitoba but has also served in France, Senegal and Papua New Guinea. She holds a Masters degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago, majoring in spiritual accompaniment from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership.
Presently she serves as a spiritual director, a facilitator of Centering Prayer workshops, and an advocate for social and environmental justice.
Sandra currently serves on her community’s province leadership team in Canada.
What a thorough, spectacular, informative article, Sandy. Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks, Sandy, for your thought-provoking article and the practical suggestions. it is so important that we look at the long history of oppression of the Palestinian people and not begin on 7th October, even while we condemn the violence of that day. As you look at the young children growing up in this situation you can understand that there is little hope of peace.
And the recent award winning documentary co directed by a Palestinian and an Israeli “No Other Land”
At times like this when I can feel quite helpless in taking positive action, I very much appreciate the range of suggestions you have given here. There are things that each one of us can do. Since I’m interested in food, I checked the link for the fair trade olive oil and found it is available in at least 3 places in Manitoba. Then I saw the information on Za’atar seasoning mix of thyme and sumac. Recently, I learned that sumac is rich in flavonoids, important anti-oxidants that are very good for the human brain! I will be ordering some from their online store today. Thank you Sandy!