Breaking the Divide: Pursuing Peace and Global Solidarity in Palestine

In a recent panel discussion David Finkel of the Jewish Voice for Peace, Kim Redigan of Meta Peace Team, and Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of ISM shared crucial ideas about the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Their perspectives—historical, on-ground, and legal—help us better understand the complexity of the conflict.  
 
The Historical Roots of the Conflict:
David Finkel opened the discussion by addressing the deep-rooted history of the conflict. He traced the roots of today’s violence back to the early days of the Zionist movement and the subsequent establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, which led to the mass forced displacement of Palestinians. Known as the Nakba, this event saw the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. David emphasizes that this was not an incidental result of war but a premeditated strategy. “The ethnic cleansing of Palestine was not a fog of war or a semi-spontaneous thing. It had been planned a long time in advance,” he noted.
This historical understanding is imperative, according to David, for anyone seeking to comprehend the current realities in Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza, under blockade since 2006, is still reeling from the violence that escalated after the October 7 attacks. David highlights the precariousness of the situation—with Gaza experiencing near-total destruction and lethal military violence in the West Bank. The past informs the present, and without recognizing this history, any potential solutions will be superficial.

The Weaponization of Antisemitism:
David also touched on the growing weaponization of antisemitism, particularly in the United States, to stifle pro-Palestinian activism. He warns of a growing crackdown on expressions of solidarity with Palestinians, particularly on university campuses. “An enormous crackdown and repression on expressions of pro-Palestinian solidarity and activism,” he described, calling attention to the dangerous conflation between Zionism and Judaism—a conflation that serves to silence legitimate critique of Israeli policies under the guise of combating antisemitism.
David stressed the importance of distinguishing between Zionism, the political ideology that drives the Israeli state, and Judaism, the religion. “It is absolutely essential to be very clear that Zionism and Judaism are not the same thing,” he said. Too many fall into the trap of equating criticism of Israel policies with antisemitism. This weaponization not only undermines the fight for Palestinian rights but also endangers Jewish communities by associating them with the actions of a state they do not all support.

Life on the Ground: Kim’s Perspective from the West Bank
Kim, who recently returned from her third trip to the West Bank, gave an important account of the dire conditions she witnessed. “If I had one word that was said over and over again during the time we were there, it was unprecedented,” she remarked, shocked by the atmosphere of violence and despair percolating the region. Settler violence, home demolitions, and administrative detention have intensified. “Settlers are operating with complete impunity and extraordinarily violent,” she shared, recounting how communities are being destroyed by settlers emboldened by the Israeli government.
Kim’s accounts were not just about violence but about the resilience of the Palestinian people. Despite living under what she called a “full-on military police state,” Palestinians continue to resist through nonviolent means, rebuilding their homes after repeated demolitions and striving for food sovereignty despite relentless settler encroachment on their farm lands.
One of the most harrowing moments she shared involved the practice of administrative detention, which allows Israeli authorities to detain Palestinians without charge. Kim recounted meeting with the mother of a student, Layan Nasser, who was detained by Israeli soldiers. "She's been detained for four months, and her mother has not been able to see her. No visitation rights, no food, no clothing can be brought in," Kim explained.

The Struggle for Human Rights and Global Solidarity
David, Kim, and Huwaida all emphasized the importance of standing with human rights organizations and Palestinian civilians. Kim underscored the systematic criminalization of human rights advocates, recounting meetings with organizations like Al-Haq and Defense for Children International, which have been labeled “terrorist entities” by Israel. “Israel is completely trying to dismantle [these organizations] to strip Palestinians of any kind of refugee status,” Kim stated. Such criminalization not only silences dissent but also attempts to erase Palestinian identity and rights.
Kim shared an example of this suppression, recalling a story of settlers attacking a Palestinian child with dogs. The trauma was so profound that the child has not left her father’s side since. In the Jordan Valley, settlers frequently poison livestock—a tactic designed to drive Palestinians off their own land. Kim’s stories paint a clear picture of the grim situation on the ground: the occupation is aimed not just at land but at the very survival of Palestinian communities.

International Law: Limits and Opportunities
Huwaida offers a sharp critique of international law’s effectiveness in resolving human rights abuses—especially with the Palestinian struggle. As a human rights attorney, she acknowledges the skepticism surrounding the law’s role, stating, “the law is only a tool, and it is not something to put our faith in.” She elaborates that international law, while developed during colonial times and later reformed post-decolonization, often continues to serve “the expansionist types of interest of the powerful” rather than actually delivering justice to oppressed peoples.
One key example she highlights is the 2004 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s apartheid wall in the occupied Palestinian territories. Despite the ICJ ruling in favor of Palestine, Huwaida notes that “20 years later, the wall hasn’t been dismantled, and the ruling is not being abided by.” The example serves as a stark reminder that even when legal victories are won, their practical impact is limited by the lack of enforcement mechanisms. Huwaida emphasizes that while the ruling was binding in the sense that it determined what the law is, it also exposed a serious weakness in international law: “There is no international enforcement mechanism...you are relying on states to actually take action.”
Despite such limitations, Huwaida stresses that the law still plays an important role in organizing and mobilizing movements. She acknowledges, “we use it where we can use it to strengthen our organizing and our movements in the streets,” comparing it to how civil rights law in the United States has historically functioned alongside grassroots activism. Indeed, legal tools— although imperfect—can help raise awareness and put pressure on states to act.
Huwaida also discusses the more recent legal actions taken against Israel, such as South Africa’s case at the ICJ, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention. In January 2024, the ICJ issued provisional measures, finding that “Israel is plausibly committing genocide,” though Huwaida points out that Israel has continued to ignore the court’s orders. 
Ultimately, Huwaida stresses that international law alone cannot resolve the conflict. While it can clarify legal rights—such as the ICJ's reaffirmation of Palestinians' right to self-determination—it remains essential that actions on the ground support these legal frameworks. She concludes by saying, “we need the actions on the ground,” referring to efforts like the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and other grassroots initiatives working to support Palestinians in their daily struggle against occupation.

A Path Forward
All speakers were clear: the international community—particularly the United States—plays a pivotal role in either perpetuating or resolving this conflict. “The US could stop this war, not in a day, not in an hour, but within five minutes,” Kim quoted a human rights worker as saying. The US, with its massive political and financial support of Israel, holds the power to push for change. But this will require reform within the US political system itself, particularly with regard to campaign finance reform, as lobbyists with vested interests influence US foreign policy.
Huwaida, David, and Kim called for a renewed commitment to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to apply economic and political pressure on Israel to end the occupation.
 
“The onus is on us,” Kim said. Whether through supporting the BDS movement, reforming campaign finance laws, or simply educating oneself and others, there is no shortage of ways for individuals to contribute to the struggle for justice in Palestine.

These panel stories remind us that the conflict is not an abstract political issue but a human rights crisis that demands urgent attention. It is only through collective action, grounded in solidarity and justice, that we can bring about meaningful change in Palestine and Israel.

*Looking for ways to support Palestinians _ get in touch with these organizations to join a peace team on the ground in Palestine!
Meta Peace Team: https://www.metapeaceteam.org
International Solidarity Movement: https://palsolidarity.org/about/
Sabeel: https://sabeel.org​