Several speakers at the ‘Call of Gaza’ fundraiser event offered tips on how to help Palestinians. [Picture: Nasreen Naidoo/Salaamedia]
Activists have sounded a clarion call for the public to take a bold, firm stance against apartheid Israel’s terrorist operations in Palestine. Addressing a gathering in Johannesburg on Wednesday, they declared the time to stand idle had long passed.
Urging those gathered at a public lecture and fundraiser ‘Call of Gaza’, held at Marks Park Sports Club, Dr Quaraysha Ismail Sooliman said it was necessary for those watching genocide in Gaza from afar to take action.
“What we do know is that the one thing that did die in Gaza was the myth of Western humanity and democracy. After 58 days, we know what we’re experiencing is that when we are talking to people, it’s like we’re talking to children. We have to push against this.”
SMread: Conference resolves to intensify Palestine solidarity campaign
Help the Palestinians by using social media as a tool
Many may have wondered what could they have possibly done if they were unable to be physically present on the battleground. But, she said, social media enabled users to be vocal and counter the terrorist regime’s grip on the global narrative.
“Become a troll. When I say become a troll, I’m asking you not to use your own arguments if you’re not qualified to argue. Find things that are posted by people who are more articulate and when you see the pro-Zionist argument, paste these arguments into the reply.”
No effort is in vain. “When you post an alternate argument,” she said, “you are disrupting the algorithm and you are disrupting their dominance on the conversation. We need to fight on these levels.”
SMread: Jews denounce Zionism at solidarity march to Union Buildings
Boycotts and revival of spirituality to help Palestinians
Also speaking at the event was Khalid Vawda, an activist and co-founder of Social Intifada. He encouraged the audience to persist in boycott action against companies with Palestinian blood on their hands, and for a revival of spirituality.
“Israel’s friends are starting to feel the effects of the boycotts. For anyone who doubts the effects of the boycotts, think again. They are extremely effective. Look at the share prices of all these major companies, monitor them on a daily basis and look how their shares are tumbling,” he said.
As important as any other action, Vawda suggested, was the revival of a sense of spirituality. “You and I have no choice now but to rise up. We have no choice except to be the best that we can be before Allah if we are serious about ending oppression,” he stated.
“That means that we have to exert ourselves on Allah’s path even more; that means that we have to raise our standards to the standards of Islam; that means we have to sharpen our minds, our skills and our worship … We have to be better than we were yesterday.”
