Mass protests in Gaza and Israel
A message to supporters from Standing Together.
This week, something remarkable happened on both sides of the border. In Gaza, Palestinians protested against the war and Hamas, and for peace. In Israel, Jews and Palestinians protested the war and the government fueling it.
We are back in the streets – in masses, louder, stronger, and more determined than ever. From Tel Aviv-Yafo to Haifa, Jerusalem to Be’er Sheva, Palestinians and Jews are standing together side by side, every day in big rallies, to declare what should be obvious: “no” to this war, and we refuse to take part in it.
We need any support to keep up the daily protests in Jerusalem and all across the country – support for the busses, the signs, the legal aid, and the daily mobilization:
And we are not alone. In recent days, thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have bravely taken to the streets to protest the war and Hamas’ authoritarian rule – risking their lives under Israeli bombardment and violent repression. Their courage is a powerful reminder that the call for peace exists on both sides of the border.
From inside Israel, we – Jews and Palestinians – stand in solidarity with them. We know that this war will not bring safety, and that as long as our government continues to uphold a system of occupation, siege, and ethnic cleansing, there can be no real security for any of us. It is our government that sustains this reality, and it is our responsibility to fight for a different one.
Building Community One Meal at a Time
In the midst of protests, pain, and powerful refusal, we also find moments to breathe, connect, and remind ourselves why we’re doing this work. That’s why, ahead of the holidays; Passover, Easter and Eid El-Fiter, we put together something small but meaningful – a mini recipe book created by members of our movement. Each recipe carries more than just ingredients. It holds a piece of someone’s story, a shared memory, a glimpse into a home. It’s a quiet reminder that even in difficult times, there’s still room for care, connection, and joy – and that the society we’re fighting for is one where we can all sit around the table, in peace, with dignity.
From Haifa to Jerusalem: What It Takes to Refuse
By Sarah, community organizer in Haifa and member of Standing Together’s National Leadership – sharing her story because, in her words, “I feel the difference between shouting into the wind alone, and raising my voice with a movement that can amplify it a thousand times.”
“Since the government restarted the war, we, as a movement, and I as an organizer in the Haifa chapter – have been doing everything we can to stop this war.
“We’re able to bring anti-war messages to the streets of Haifa and to the massive anti-government protests in Jerusalem because we’ve built the resources, networks, and experience to make it possible. The difference between five people holding signs on a Haifa street corner and those same activists leading a major protest in Jerusalem is years of organizing: the ability to design banners and flyers, charter buses, mobilize on social media, and invite thousands – not just dozens, to join.
“In this moment of total commitment, I’m deeply grateful that we have the resources, the people, the tools, and yes, the funding — to do what needs to be done. We can plan new actions every night, print new materials, and get people where they need to be. Our movement is full of people who know how to lead chants, produce events, design protest signs, and train others to do the same. That knowledge, built over years, is what allows us to turn passion into power.
“Standing Together activists would do anything to end this war. They give their time, put their bodies on the line, and follow a strategy that ensures our voices are heard, not as background noise, but through a powerful loudspeaker echoing across the country.
“For days, protests have been taking place in Jerusalem against the government. Each day, organizers from different organizations have chosen one group to lead – one with the ability to mobilize effectively and bring out large numbers. This Friday, the most popular day for protests, they chose Standing Together. Our activists will lead the march, carrying banners against the war and chanting for a government that serves everyone – and for the public to refuse this war. When others ask who knows how to bring people into the streets and move beyond divisions, they look to us.”
Posted on 28 March