Palestinians and Israelis join together to speak out against war on Gaza

In contrast to previous attacks on Gaza, there have been notably far fewer calls among Israelis for a cessation of hostilities in this particular round of conflict. Pro-war sentiment has significantly increased to the degree that any type of peace activism has been harshly suppressed.  

Both the Israeli police and right-wing Israelis are adamant about muting any form of criticism of the war. 

"First week of the war, you couldn't say we need to free the hostages", peace activist Sahar Vardi, 33, told The New Arab. 

A self-described "anti-occupation, anti-militarist", Sahar said she spent the last decade and a half resisting the Israeli wall in the occupied West Bank and providing a "protective presence" for Palestinian farmers facing setter violence.  In 2008, Sahar refused to serve in the Israeli military. 

Since the start of the war on 7 October, the Israeli police have stopped rallies against the bombing in Gaza in cities like Haifa and Um el-Fahem, heavily censured online activism and arrested dozens of Palestinians with Israel under the pretence of incitement. 

Palestinians within the 1948 borders making up Israel have reported hundreds of cases of persecution by Israeli law enforcement authorities and other Israeli institutions. This includes universities that have initiated disciplinary proceedings against Palestinian students for content posted on their personal social media accounts.

"I mean, the first week, there was a protest organised here in Jerusalem about a ceasefire and negotiations for the hostages, so not a very radical call, and people were beaten up pretty badly and a few arms broken, and it was just Jewish protesters", she added.  

As the war entered its second month, Israelis, especially the relatives of the captives who are being held in Gaza, have become more daring in calling for the release of hostages. 

On Tuesday evening, 7 November, a small group of Palestinian and Israeli peace activists assembled at Jaffa Gate in occupied East Jerusalem to make an appeal for a ceasefire and to mourn the casualties on both sides since 7 October. 

It was the first gathering to be allowed by the Israeli police in occupied East Jerusalem since the start of the war. It was also a rare event where Palestinians and Israelis came together to demand action to stop the bloodshed.  A fortnight earlier, Palestinian activists had tried to organise a protest on Salah Edin Street in the centre of East Jerusalem, but the Israeli police intervened and prevented it from even beginning. 

Omar Harami, a Palestinian Christian and one of the organisers of the call to stand in silence in mourning for the loss of all lives since 7 October, told TNA that all those responsible for the killing of children must be held accountable, whether they're Israelis or Palestinians. 

"We all know there are roots to this problem, but today, we are in a reality where there are lots of children being killed and many casualties. The first goal by everybody is a ceasefire now", Omar Harami stated. 

Yoav Peck, an American-Israeli peace activist, echoed Sahar Vardi's description of the pro-war mood in mainstream Israel and the fear of reprisal against any form of opposition to the bombing of Gaza. 

"It's not very popular in Israeli society these days to speak out on behalf of even innocent children and families in Gaza", Yoav, 76, told TNA. 

"What we need more than anything is a ceasefire immediately so we can all get organised and find our way out of this disaster", he added. 

Though organisers like Sahar, Omar, and Yoav admit their voice is ineffective at the moment, they see great urgency to continue advocating for change. They say this includes finding the words and the medium "to protest and resist this attack on Gaza now. 

Between November 6 and November 7, 548 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The reported fatality toll since the start of Israel's war on Gaza has surpassed 10,328, of whom 67 per cent are said to be children and women. 

More than 1,400 Israelis, including from the military and civilians, have been killed according to official sources.