“We’re stronger together. So we’re doing this.”
An update from Standing Together for international supporters.
As talks on a ceasefire and hostage deal stall and the Israeli army continues to kill dozens of Palestinians every day, some while waiting in line for food, the need for an agreement just feels more urgent than ever. This horror and the abandonment of the hostages simply cannot continue any longer. But oppression of Palestinians is not just happening in Gaza. In our society, crime in the Arab community is rising fast, and our government and police have all but encouraged it.
For so many Palestinian, Bedouin, and Druze citizens, underpolicing, underfunding, and violent crime in the community has been the reality for decades, but it’s peaked since the start of the war on Gaza and under this government. So we just launched a huge campaign to build community resilience against the crime epidemic. The campaign, which is titled “Only Together We Can,” is our answer to the intolerable situation.
The campaign will encourage community projects and initiatives, guide local leaders, help create internal protections against violence and crime, and ultimately demand change at an institutional level. We’ll create local groups in about 50 towns and villages with the goal of growing them, recruiting leaders from within these circles, and putting on events that can bring the community together.
Not only are we taking steps to empower local communities and Arab society, but we are also saying loudly that we are all in this together. Our solidarity is always important, but in times of crisis and abandonment by the state, it’s indispensable.
Recently, Jewish-Palestinian solidarity was on full display with the protests against Palestinian member of Knesset Ayman Odeh’s attempted impeachment. We launched a pressure campaign aimed at opposition leaders encouraging them to vote no, and mobilized Jews and Palestinians to take to the streets, sign onto our petition, and say loud and clear that we will not stand for this racist, political silencing! And on Monday, Odeh’s impeachment failed after not enough votes were gathered. This was a powerful reminder that we can stand up against intimidation and silencing together when it’s needed the most.
We know that our far-right government tried to remove Odeh to silence Palestinian citizens and their elected representatives. And we’re fighting every day for a future where this silencing and intimidation doesn’t happen, a future where Jews and Palestinians can live free, safe, and equal lives. Can you help us get there by taking the next step as a Friend of Standing Together with a monthly donation? Our Friends are crucial allies in this struggle, and they let us plan for real, long-term change.
Posted 16 July 2025