Action Steps Regarding Israel/Palestine by: Jason Shaw, MA, LCPC

Action Steps Regarding Israel/Palestine by: Jason Shaw, MA, LCPC

All too often we as a society are learning of another heart-wrenching crisis. A shooting, a war, a violation of safety, a loss. And while the occurrences of such tragedies are not new or rare, we and people across the globe find ourselves at a loss for words, confused as to how we got here, and trying to process what we’ve just experienced. And as we navigate the impact of each travesty, we can find ourselves struggling not only how we show care to the world, but how we care for ourselves.

Striking a balance of being informed and taking care of oneself is often painted as a difficult, grueling act. On one hand, there’s the message that someone feeling overwhelmed by the news of the world should take a step back, practice self-care, and do what they need to do to remain grounded. Simultaneously, we are told that to be informed is to be exhausted and not able to care for the self. These two perspectives are presented as oil and water, two ideas meant never to mix. However, when thoughtfully done, the two make a wonderful mix that is presented to us and others in a way that can build fruitful connections and lead to change.

Throughout the past month we have seen and stood in solidarity with our Jewish brothers/sisters as they processed the attacks from Hamas on Israel on October 7th[1]. Several sports organizations held a moment of silence for the victims and currently held hostages[2]. Members of Congress spoke on the congressional floor and advocated for the passage of bills to help protect Jewish people from anti-Semitism here in the States[3]. We also saw several other countries in the West standing against hate.

As we continue to show our solidarity for those impacted by the attacks, we also shine light on the atrocities experienced by our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Since the start of the conflict, the Israeli government’s response has led to the devastating loss of roughly 12,000 Palestinian civilian lives[4], as well as the forceful displacement and flight of 1.5 million men, women, and children[5]. In all of this, a sense of sorrow can be felt as well as a sense of hopelessness as to what can be done. 

A common response to such feelings is a desire to take a step back and emotionally distance oneself from reality. For some, it may be because we don’t feel we have all the knowledge to take an informed stance on what is going on. For others it’s possibly due to being overwhelmed with how much is happening. Or because we have things directly affecting us in our personal life. Those are all good, healthy reasons to slow down and care for the self. We must also acknowledge the privilege it takes to be able to step away from the triggering situation. When we choose to create the space necessary to regulate our emotions and processing, we must understand we are allowed to do so because what is happening in the news isn’t happening to us directly. This acknowledgement is not to provoke guilt, but instead, meant to build awareness of how one takes up space in the community at large. 

When action is the next step, there are two quotes one can begin to reflect on. Activist Mariam Kaba said, “Hope is a discipline.” Where if we hope for a better world, a better self, we must be disciplined and do the work. Second comes from author James Baldwin, who once said about change, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” To summarize, there is a call for action when we see something that we wish were different. To have a different tomorrow, we must face the realities of today. So after, or even alongside self-care, we must take action. 

When taking action, questions such as, “What difference can I make?” or “What can I do?” may rise. And while it may feel like our actions from so far away may be abstract or insignificant, there are a variety of tangible actions that can be taken to show solidarity in the face of atrocities. For instance, one can attend peaceful protests, marches, and vigils. So far, there have been peaceful protests calling for a ceasefire across the country. We can also engage in advocacy, by calling or emailing our congressional representatives and pushing for resources to be sent to the people of Gaza as they are experiencing shortages of water, electricity, and other life-saving resources due to the ongoing decisions of the Israeli government[6]. Providing aid and finding reliable charitable organizations that can channel monetary and material donations directly to those who need it most is also an option. 

If those feel overwhelming or if it feels like too much to take on at once, doing research and better equipping oneself with knowledge is a useful way to show support as well. Haymarket Books have made several e-books available for free[7]. Listening to Jewish and Palestinian led organizers and attending virtual learning groups is always a refreshing, often low stress way, of showing up and taking action. Re-assessing who we follow on social media, and incorporating more diverse voices is also a great way to learn more.

These are just a few of the ways in which we can step back into the world and take action after we have taken the privilege of caring for ourselves. Our responsibility to others requires us to lean in, even when things don’t affect our day to day. We can turn off the television and disconnect to take care of ourselves, and when we’re ready, tune back in and get to work. 

 

[1]https://abcnews.go.com/International/timeline-surprise-rocket-attack-hamas-israel/story?id=103816006

[2]https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-teams-to-hold-moment-of-silence-before-each-week-6-game-following-hamas-attack-on-israel/

[3] https://www.axios.com/2023/10/25/house-resolution-condemning-hamas-attack-israel

[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2023/gaza-rising-death-toll-civilians/

[5] https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142687

[6] https://www.npr.org/2023/11/17/1213799815/israel-gaza-fuel

[7] https://www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/495-free-ebooks-for-a-free-palestine