Palestinian resistance and liberation: We will not be defeated

Published in Archer Magazine, August, 2024

Every morning, a massacre. Every morning, mass murder. Morning for us, which is when we receive the news. Mourning.

For years, the people of Gaza have been posting about Israel’s incursions into the Gaza Strip.

“Gaza is under attack,” we’d hear, and the International Palestine Solidarity Movement would reshare. Videos of the bombardment would circulate, and a snap rally would be called.

For over 16 years, since Israel’s intensified blockade in 2007, the people of Gaza have faced the Zionist regime’s bombardment and sniper bullets at the occupation’s border that stands between them and their land.

On 7 October 2023, we opened our phones to footage of parachuted militants falling from the sky.

Palestinians had flooded ‘southern Israel’ with Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Israel was under attack. Palestinians were jumping on the military vehicles of the occupier. Israel was in mourning. Palestinians were swerving back to the enclave with hostages and guns. Israel was in shock. Palestinians were giving the victory sign to the cameras.

Israel decided that it was at war and Palestinians were in the streets, tasting victory.

Often, when prisoners break out, they taste rebellion before their jailers beat them back into the cages. But that is not what always happens.

One night, when I was seeking a restful break from the activism, I decided to turn on the TV.

My friend and I looked for a documentary and settled on Attica (2021). We watched interviews with brothers of the 1971 prison rebellion that ended in the massacre of 33, mostly Black, incarcerated men when State forces retook control of the notorious prison. They spoke to the revolutionary times that had swept racialised communities.

Before the gunfire, the prisoners had an upper hand in their rebellion. They had taken 42 staff members hostage, and they were negotiating their political demands, including amnesty for the acts of their revolt.