Sweep Down the Walls
When I talk to people in Gaza these days, two things usually come up. The first, even in the midst of such a devastating war, is sincere gratitude for keeping in touch. The second is the question of why the world – especially the US whose taxpayers are financing the war – is silent. Although our actions have not yet been able to halt the attacks on Gaza, I can honestly tell our Palestinian friends that we are not silent.
A group of concerned individuals and groups from all over the world who support peaceful organizations within Israel and Palestine – including Grassroots International – have formed an ad-hoc group to stay in touch with the realities on the ground in Gaza and in Israel. Through teleconferences, we bring in speakers from Gaza and Israel to share their stories and relay what they are seeing as the violence escalates and what we can do to be part of the solution. These calls also provide space for the activist and humanitarian communities to talk about ongoing efforts in the Middle East and leverage our collective strength to call for change. They also allow the rare opportunity for Israelis and Gazans to engage with one another, listen to their realities, and think about peaceful solutions. After each call, I am left with a sense of hopefulness and a renewed passion to continue this important work despite the circumstances.
Calls take place three days a week and will continue to do so until the crisis ends. For more information on these efforts to bring people together in support of Gaza, please visit the Rebuilding Alliance.
« Sweep Down the Walls » is a forum to connect people throughout the world who are working to end the bombing, end the siege, open Gaza’s borders, press for a cease-fire, and so build peace. The forum draws its name from a quote by Robert F. Kennedy in South Africa, June 1966, « It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. »