Why socialists support a free Palestine

Right now, Israel is mobilising for a full-scale war in response to an offensive by Hamas. Netanyahu has vowed to turn Gaza, with its population of 2.3 million people, into a deserted island, and Israeli politicians are openly calling for another Nakba — referring to the genocidal massacres in 1948 which marked the beginning of Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

Western politicians are lining up to pledge their support for Israel’s “right to defend itself”. The US has sent an aircraft carrier to aid Israel, and Biden has taken this opportunity to rally support for Western imperialism & funding for the Israeli Defence Forces. 

Chloe spoke to Omar Hassan about the history of military occupation and genocide from 1948 to today, and why the left must stand with Palestine. Omar is a socialist from Melbourne, a long-time Palestine solidarity activist and editor of the Marxist Left Review.  

Join the solidarity protests:

• Sydney Sunday Oct 15, 1PM Hyde Park https://facebook.com/events/s/stop-the-war-on-gaza-free-pale/237050879370266/
• Melbourne Sunday Oct 15, 12PM State Library https://facebook.com/events/s/palestine-rally-end-the-siege-/621858313442265/
• Canberra Friday Oct 13, 5:30PM Garema Place https://facebook.com/events/s/stand-with-palestine-no-war-on/2258919267638772/
• Adelaide Sunday Oct 15, 2:00pm SA Parliament House https://facebook.com/events/s/solidarity-with-palestine-no-w/7143090389076667/
• Brisbane Friday Oct 13, 6:00pm King George Square https://facebook.com/events/s/no-war-on-gaza-solidarity-with/884972343033190/
• Perth Friday Oct 13, 5:30pm Murray St Mall https://facebook.com/events/s/rally-for-palestine-no-war-on-/1046067476425215/
• Wollongong Sat Oct 14, 1:00pm MacCabe Park https://facebook.com/events/s/wollongong-rally-free-palestin/1951351455251789/

Further readings:

Check out the War on Palestine section of the Red Flag website: https://redflag.org.au/category/palestine