Actions You Can Take To Stop the Genocide of Palestinians
Virtual action webinars, education, organizations, in-person volunteer opportunities, moral accountability
As legal protections and international law topples, all of us are only a pen-stroke away from the madness of wondering if human rights is just another dead dream. The fires of fascism sweeping the globe will not end on their own. It’s clear our world is governed by a rather large number of maniacs and their flying monkey billionaire friends.
Education and collective action are powerful acts of resistance right now. If you’re looking for places to learn, unlearn, and take action, here’s a list of of events and organizations I spend my time with monthly, some weekly. Many of these groups collaborate on webinars, global campaigns, and a variety of virtual and in-person direct actions.
There are countless others, Palestinian-led organizations and the Israeli left are working together to protect humanity, and they do so under growing pressure and increasing danger. When you start listening to more Palestinian and Israeli-left voices, you’ll realize that their problems there and our problems here have the same rotten root—authoritarianism and open fascism.
Find the good people in the world and join them. Do not wait.
List will be updated. Webinar links for Doctors Without Genocide, and other reminders, will be posted in the Concerned for Humanity chat (publicly viewable).
If you recommend a resource, please drop it in the comments; ensure there is a direct connection to existing organizational leadership from Palestinians in Gaza, East Jerusalem, or the West Bank. If you’re unsure, DM me.
Education & Collective Action Webinars
If you’re concerned for humanity and want to stay informed without consuming the news, I recommend these Zoom webinars. They provide critical updates, education, and opportunities for quick, collective action.
Actions often include petitions, letters to the editor, auto-generated emails to political representatives, and rapid-dial calls to officials who need to hear in polite terms some variation of, Hey, fuck you, I’m not okay with this.
Participation is open. No one is required to take action, turn on their camera, speak, or engage in the chat. You can join, listen, learn, and leave whenever you need to. Live captioning and ASL is available on most webinars.
Jewish Voice for Peace: Power Half-Hour for Gaza
Mondays-Thursdays 3-3:30pm ET / 12-12:30pm PT
Third Tuesdays: Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC
3rd Tuesday of each month 8-9:30pm ET / 5-6:30pm PT
AFSC Action Hour for Palestine
Fridays 12-1pm ET / 9-10am PT
Doctors Against Genocide Weekly Webinar
Sundays 12-1:30pm ET / 9-10:30am PT
The DAG invite changes weekly, please check the Concerned for Humanity Chat for webinar links. I’ll do my best to post these weekly.
Donate
Connecting Humanity - est. 2023
https://connecting-humanity.org
Gaza’s internet access is frequently blacked out, and communication is lifesaving. Everything we rely on daily (messaging, navigation, emergency updates) they need too, and a lot more. You can help by purchasing eSIMs to provide direct access.
Please follow their instructions closely, and follow the org or Mirna El Helbawi (the founder) on IG for frequent updates about eSim needs and blackouts preventing eSims from being activated. Fascism tends to interrupt humanitarian plans, so if delays frustrate you, consider donating instead to PCRF and UNRWA to support critical aid efforts.
Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund - est. 1991
They keep kids alive, that should be enough to support.
UNRWA (“United Nations Relief & Works Agency” for Palestine Refugees) - est. 1949
IDGAF what the US government says, donate to UN agencies.
Learn
Visualizing Palestine - est. 2012
The first Palestinian organization I supported, you will learn much
Grassroots Al-Quds - est. 2011
$10 Virtual Political Tour of Jerusalem
Eyewitness Palestine - est. 2001
Virtual educational delegations, donations starting at $3
Genocide Gentry - est. 2024
Data on U.S. institutional connections to weapons manufacturers
MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders) - est. 1971
https://doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/our-response-israel-gaza-war
MSF site info and staff webinars are invaluable sources of news and stats
Palestine Legal - est. 2012
The only legal organization in the US protecting civil and constitutional rights of people who speak out for Palestinian freedom
Breaking the Silence - est. 2004
Testimonies and educational events from former Israeli soldiers who served in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem and now work to end the occupation
Adalah Justice Project - est. 2014
Intersectional US justice org led by Palestinian women, Queer and Black folks with excellent educational webinars
Adalah - est. 1996
The legal center for Arab minority rights in Israel, excellent news source
B’Tselem - est. 1989
Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, good news source and interactive map
Engage and Act
National BDS Movement - est. 2005
Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction campaigns against Israel
Rabbis for Ceasefire - est. 2023
Excellent global connections, general education and Jewish-specific webinars
Jewish Voice for Peace - est. 1996
Community actions and excellent source of US legislation & spending news
MPower Change - est. 2016
US Muslims and allies working against Islamophobia and white supremacy
Black Jewish Liberation Collective - est. 1995
Community building led by and supporting Black US Jews for liberation
No Tech for Apartheid - est. 2021
International campaign working to end Project Nimbus, a contract between Google, Amazon and Israel
If Not Now Movement - est. 2014
American Jews organizing for equality, justice, and a thriving future for all
Doctors Against Genocide - est. 2023
Global healthcare workers in solidarity with Gaza hospitals and healthcare workers
Kairos Center for Religions, Rights & Social Justice - est. 2004
National org committed to building a movement to end poverty, led by the poor
Go To Palestine-Israel
For those ready to take direct action, humanitarian aid work and protective presence opportunities are available, especially in the West Bank. More roles for medical professionals are also opening in parts of the Gaza Strip. All humanitarian groups urgently need short and long-term volunteers.
Most organizations require an application, online training, travel, and a brief in-person training before your on-site volunteer commitment. Two-weeks is the typical length granted by Israel on travel visas as of late, but this varies by group and political mood. Costs vary, some groups offer scholarships, but outside of an official UN Volunteer position there are no stipends.
The ability to follow a Palestinian-led approach, respect cultural realities, and understand the risks are essential. Prior conflict-zone experience isn’t required, but skills in non-violent actions and de-escalation techniques are valuable. Being bulletproof would also help.
This work isn’t for the faint of heart, but if (like me) you can’t stop thinking about going, now is the time to research opportunities, understand the logistics, and prepare. International volunteering isn’t insane, but it is a big and risky commitment. If you’re a subscriber and considering this path, my inbox is open. The need for international humanitarian volunteers gets larger every year.
Achvat Amim - est. 2013
Volunteer commitment: Summer 2025 July 1 - August 8
Fall 2025 Sept 2- Jan 2, 2026
Winter 2025 Visit 17 days
Solidarity of Nations offers communal live-learn-volunteer immersion programs to engage with Palestinian and Israeli partner orgs, as well as offering protective presence. It’s an expensive choice but on the plus side, scholarships aren’t just for Jews, anymore.
Rabbis for Human Rights - est. 1988
Volunteer commitment: On-site 2-4 weeks (October - November)
RHR are diverse rabbis and rabbinical students protecting human rights in Israel and the Palestinian Territories through inclusive coalitions. They need volunteers for farmer protective presence in the West Bank for the annual Olive Harvest.
Eyewitness Palestine - est. 2001
Volunteer commitment: On-site 2-4 weeks (October - November)
Immersive education and advocacy programs with excellent resources. Olive Harvest protective presence delegation in October.
Center for Jewish Nonviolence - est. 2015
Volunteer commitment: On-site 2-4 weeks (October - November)
CJNV brings Jewish activists from around the world to Israel/Palestine to join in Palestinian-led nonviolent civil resistance to occupation, apartheid, and displacement. They also offer Olive Harvest protective presence.
International Solidarity Movement - est. 2001
Volunteer commitment: On-site 2 weeks, up to 3 months
ISM is a big target for Israeli settler and military violence across Palestine-Israel. They encourage you to research their work and previous volunteer experiences before reaching out. There was a time when ISM volunteers were usually the ones in the most direct danger while protecting Palestinians; that danger now applies to all aid.
United Nations Volunteers Program - est. 1970
Volunteer commitment: On-site 3-12 months
The perk of UN volunteer positions are a decent stipend and “comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts.” Current UNV positions for the State of Palestine are listed here.
UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) uses the UNV system for placement of their volunteers, as well. UNICEF does have committees that do direct placement in certain nations, Israel is one of them but their website appears to be a lost cause of bad hasbara—not recommended.
Political and Spiritual Fasting
There’s a long history of fasting in all major religions, and as both a personal and collective non-violent political action. These are groups I participate with and they explain their reasons why.
I’ve been fasting once or twice a week since November of 2023 for a few reasons; mostly, if you’re going to Palestine-Israel, it’d be beneficial (for everyone) if you’re comfortable being hungry for longer periods of time. We’re talking about a place where starvation and genocide are ongoing, respectfully, as well as the reality that Israeli checkpoints routinely stall volunteers for hours at a time, sometimes all day.
Regardless, if you’ve never experienced food insecurity or malnutrition, fasting is a good place to start understanding the impact of violence and hunger on the world.
Sundays: Jewish Fast for Gaza
https://linktr.ee/jewishfastforgaza
Monthly Thursdays: Mizna Fast for Gaza
https://mizna.org/mizna-news/fast-for-gaza
***
Prayer for Fast Days
By Adam Gottlieb (Tzedek Chicago)
Blessed are you, Creator of the Universe, who gives us life and the power to protect and honor life. We offer this fast to the cause of a ceasefire in Gaza and for peace, justice, and freedom for the people and land of Palestine, and for all peoples and all lands. May our fast attune us to the cry of the oppressed and inspire us to carry on the struggle for liberation.
May we deepen our commitment to that struggle, strengthen our courage for the battles ahead, and restore our faith in humanity, Nature, and Life itself. May we take actions that make us worthy of speaking the names of the martyrs in remembrance of their souls.
May we move with clarity and purpose in defiance of the evils of colonization, genocide, and fascism, and through this sacred struggle may we make ourselves a part of your divine work to bring justice, peace, and wholeness to the world. Ameyn.
