“They want to silence us, but we won’t let them.”
A message to supporters from Standing Together.
The disparity between the Jewish-Palestinian solidarity on the ground and the far-right government is clear. Over the past month we’ve been screening the film “No Other Land” at our Purple Houses because it’s essential that people in Israel are exposed to the reality of the occupation, as well as the hope of Palestinian-Jewish partnership. We have held dozens of screenings across the country which were attended by hundreds of people, but recently we organized two in Haifa University and Kfar Saba which were both canceled after a concerted far-right campaign to shut them down.
No cinema has agreed to screen the Oscar-winning documentary and the far right is working around the clock trying to cancel our events – but we’re persisting. The reaction to our screenings proves the importance of our Purple Houses, our community centers where we can freely build community and host discussions and events about topics our government doesn’t want us to speak about.
Last week we saw masses of Palestinians in Gaza demonstrating against the war, against Hamas’ regime, and for peace. Hamas forces have cracked down on the protests, killing several people including Udai al-Rabai, one of the protest organizers, and threatening others. Palestinians in Gaza are doing something remarkable: taking to the streets despite Israeli airstrikes, despite threats from Hamas, and making their voices heard. Their reality is very different to ours – they live in immediate danger under siege, constant bombardment, and without critical infrastructure. Their protest is powerful. It exposes a system that would rather see people starve, disappear, or be killed than allow them to speak, organize, and have hope. Their refusal to stay silent is a direct challenge to the regimes that keep millions of Palestinians trapped in the violence of a blockade, occupation, and war. Despite the vast differences in our contexts, we are united by a shared longing for a better future – for peace and safety for all.
| It’s been a tumultuous few weeks since our government broke the ceasefire, with many civil society groups in Israel scrambling to figure out how to respond and what to do. It’s another reminder of the immense power of our grassroots movement. Our capacity to swiftly organize masses of people to take to the streets is possible thanks to the ongoing support we receive from generous donors and members of Friends of Standing Together that provide us the long-term financial backing necessary to react instantly. Our ability to quickly launch new campaigns, take out big advertisements spreading our messages on billboards and in traditional media, and host events around the country to expose more people to the reality of the occupation is all thanks to the backing we get from supporters. Becoming a member of Friends of Standing Together doesn’t only help us, it also brings you into a global community of supporters who get access to special events and online conversations with our leadership. |
| Last week we launched our holiday cookbook filled with recipes from our team inspired by Ramadan, Passover and Easter. Make sure to download your sneak peak recipe book, or become a member of Friends of Standing Together to receive the full book with nine delicious recipes. From cinnamon to cardamom, savory turmeric to chickpeas, we hope you enjoy the feast! Join us in building the future we want to see. |
Posted on 5 April 2025