{"id":284428,"date":"2025-01-13T12:00:20","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T12:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=284428"},"modified":"2025-01-09T02:52:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T02:52:00","slug":"strategic-goals-to-halt-the-genocide-in-gaza-and-liberate-palestine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2025\/01\/strategic-goals-to-halt-the-genocide-in-gaza-and-liberate-palestine\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategic Goals to Halt the Genocide in Gaza and Liberate Palestine"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If the genocide in Gaza is to be halted and the occupation of Palestine ended, it will require a substantial mobilization of people to participate in a comprehensive strategically-oriented campaign that precisely identifies the tactics to be undertaken (not just a random list of actions) and, as the historical record demonstrates, not by using secrecy and sabotage in their execution. For detailed explanations of these points, see The Strategy of Nonviolent Defense: A Gandhian Approach<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before proceeding, if you doubt that a nonviolent strategy can halt a genocide in progress, you can read a solid account of when this has occurred historically and how it was accomplished in the section titled \u2018Nonviolent Defense Against an Extremely Ruthless Opponent\u2019 on pp.238-245 of the book just cited.<\/p>\n

And if you wish to read how to minimize the risk of violent repression in the context of local solidarity actions, see \u2018Nonviolent Action: Minimizing the Risk of Violent Repression\u2019<\/a> which explains how to plan and implement your nonviolent action if you anticipate severe military and\/or police repression but intend to proceed with your particular nonviolent action anyway.<\/p>\n

If we are able to mobilize enough people to halt the genocide, we will be in a stronger position to keep struggling to end the occupation as well so, strategically speaking, it is useful to see these two political purposes as related.<\/p>\n

And while defeating the attempt to impose a global technocracy on us all will require a worldwide mobilization far beyond what has even begun yet, success in Palestine could bolster these efforts. After all, what is happening in Gaza is coming to us all, one way or another.<\/p>\n

Anyway, to illustrate what both a nonviolent strategy to halt the genocidal assault by Israel against Gaza and a nonviolent strategy to liberate Palestine would entail, I have reproduced below just nineteen \u2018consolidated\u2019 strategic goals, written in a form appropriate for this particular context, taken from the comprehensive but generalized list of 50 \u2018Strategic Goals for Defeating a <\/a><\/p>\n

Genocidal Assault\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Identification of the strategic goals is one component of a comprehensive nonviolent strategy explained on the website Nonviolent Defense\/Liberation Strategy. You can see a diagram illustrating all components of a comprehensive nonviolent strategy here: Nonviolent Strategy Wheel<\/a>. And you can read a brief explanation of why nonviolent action is so powerful here: \u2018Nonviolent Action: Why and How it Works\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This incomplete\/consolidated list of strategic goals is based on principles not explained here but carefully elaborated at Conception of Nonviolence<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, it is a straightforward task to consult the full list of strategic goals (to halt a genocide or liberate an occupied country) and reword each of the remaining goals to make it appropriate to the Palestinian situation and nominate the specific groups that should be mentioned where appropriate.<\/p>\n

And, for example, the American Friends Service Committee has compiled a valuable resource that can be used in planning this strategy by identifying \u2018The [Weapons] Companies Profiting from Israel\u2019s 2023 Attack on Gaza\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thus, just nineteen strategic goals that would contribute both to defeating Israel\u2019s genocidal assault on Gaza and liberating Palestine (which conform to the formula described on the website) are listed below (with brief explanations and historical examples where appropriate). It should be noted, however, that the list would be considerably longer as individual organizations \u2013 such as each organization involved in inciting, facilitating, organizing, conducting and\/or benefiting from the genocide (for whatever reason but including national and religious groups with competing perspectives as well as corporations involved in media, banking and resource extraction) \u2013 should be specified separately.<\/p>\n

Of course, individual groups within the defense would usually accept responsibility for focusing their work on achieving just one or two of the strategic goals. It is the responsibility of the struggle\u2019s strategic leadership to ensure that each of the strategic goals (identified and prioritized according to local circumstances) is being addressed (or to prioritize if resource limitations require this).<\/p>\n

If there is no identified strategic leadership, individuals and local groups should proceed to tackle those strategic goals most relevant to their circumstances, interests and capacities.<\/p>\n

(1) To cause the people of Palestine (men, women and children) to identify their support for, and participation in, the Palestinian resistance strategy by wearing a symbol of Palestinian unity (a keffiyeh, as a head covering or scarf, or the colors of the Palestinian flag: black, white, green and red) and by boycotting all corporate\/government media and social media outlets that support the genocide in Gaza and\/or the occupation of Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For this item and many subsequent, see the list of possible actions in the article \u2018198 Tactics of Nonviolent Action\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(2) To cause the people of Israel (men, women and children) to identify their solidarity with the people of Palestine and opposition to the genocide and occupation by wearing a symbol of solidarity (a keffiyeh, as a head covering or scarf, or the colors of the Palestinian flag: black, white, green and red) and by boycotting all corporate\/government media and social media outlets that support the genocide in Gaza and\/or the occupation of Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Government and corporate media and social media have long been used to control the narrative regarding what is happening in Palestine. If you choose to boycott these outlets, in favor of outlets committed to telling you the truth, you play a valuable role in holding media that lies accountable and supporting those telling the truth who are often suppressed.<\/p>\n

(3) To cause people elsewhere in the world (men, women and children) to identify their solidarity with the people of Palestine and opposition to the genocide and occupation by wearing a symbol of solidarity (a keffiyeh, as a head covering or scarf, or the colors of the Palestinian flag: black, white, green and red) and by boycotting all corporate\/government media and social media outlets that support the genocide in Gaza and\/or the occupation of Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With virtually all government and corporate media and social media owned and\/or controlled by Elite agents and much of it acting on behalf of powerful Israeli interests, Gaza\u2019s inhabitants have been treated as nonpersons for decades \u2018and daily life in Gaza as non-news\u2019. Consequently, the \u2018shameful legacy of narrow, pro-Israel coverage indirectly laid the groundwork for the atrocious human suffering taking place there now.\u2019 See \u2018How Corporate Media Helped Lay the Groundwork for Israel\u2019s Genocide in Gaza\u2019<\/a>, \u2018Are social media giants censoring pro-Palestine voices amid Israel\u2019s war?\u2019<\/a> and, for an example, \u2018Facebook Approved an Israeli Ad Calling for Assassination of Pro-Palestine Activist [in the USA]\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(4) To cause young people in Israel to resist conscription and recruitment into the military, police, intelligence services and other forces\/organizations inciting, facilitating, organizing and\/or conducting the genocide or maintaining the occupation of Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is already happening, given long-standing and significant Israeli opposition to the occupation but it would be invaluable to focus more effort in this realm. See \u2018\u201cYouth Against Dictatorship\u201d: Meet Israel\u2019s new class of conscientious objectors\u2019<\/a> and watch \u2018Young Israelis refuse to participate in Gaza \u201cgenocide\u201d\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For example, prior to the current genocide and despite four stints in prison, 19-year-old Israeli woman Hallel Rabin resolutely stood her ground, refusing to serve in the Israeli army occupying Palestine. This article includes a video of Rabin speaking eloquently about her reasons for resisting. See \u2018Refusing to serve in the army is my small act of making change\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just recently and despite knowing he would be imprisoned, 18-year-old Tal Mitnick conscientiously chose jail rather than being responsible for killing Palestinians in Gaza. See \u2018\u201cI refuse to take part in a revenge war\u201d: Israel jails teen for opposing army draft\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And despite the risk of a significant jail sentence, Ariel Davidov, a 19-year-old Israeli \u2018refusenik\u2019 believes that \u2018not joining the army is one of the most effective things you can do\u2019 to \u2018end the cycle of violence\u2019. See \u2018Why Israeli army refusers are crucial to ending the cycle of violence\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These intelligent and conscientious young people are far from alone and highlight the possibilities open to those of us who choose to mobilize an effective nonviolent resistance to violence, wherever it occurs in the world.<\/p>\n

We just need their commitment and courage.<\/p>\n

(5) To cause soldiers, airmen, sailors, intelligence personnel, drone pilots and others in the Israeli military to refuse to obey orders that will lead to the arrest, assault, torture, shooting, bombing and other forms of harm to Palestinians, medical personnel, foreign aid workers, journalists, solidarity activists and others in Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are precedents of conscientious objection at various levels in Israel where the human right to conscientious objection is only allowed in extremely limited circumstances. See, for example, \u2018Who are the Israeli refuseniks who refuse to fight the Palestinians in Gaza\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, the right and duty to make decisions based on conscience were enshrined in international law a long time ago, including in Principle IV of the Nuremberg Charter: \u2018The fact that a person acted pursuant to order of [their] Government or of a superior does not relieve [them] from responsibility under international law, provided a moral choice was in fact possible to [them]\u2019. See \u2018Principles of International Law Recognized in the Charter of the N\u00fcrnberg Tribunal and in the Judgment of the Tribunal 1950\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The importance and potential of military personnel (and anyone involved in the genocide) making moral choices has been discussed by Professor Michel Chossudovsky as part of a review of what he identifies as \u2018the criminalization of international justice\u2019 during the US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza. See \u2018The Criminalization of International Justice, Putting an End to the Genocide against the People of Palestine. Nuremberg Principle IV. Disobey Unlawful Orders, Abandon the Battlefield under Principle IV of the Nuremberg Charter\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And the historical record demonstrates that dialogue and nonviolent action designed to convince troops to disobey their orders have sometimes been successful. For example, it was a vital element of the Czechoslovakian resistance to the Warsaw Pact invasion during 1968, it was the defining feature of the nonviolent revolution in the Philippines in 1986, it was the crucial factor in thwarting the Chinese government\u2019s first attempt to clear Tiananmen Square on 20 May 1989, and it was fundamental to the defeat of the Soviet coup in 1991. See The Strategy of Nonviolent Defense: A Gandhian Approach<\/em><\/a>. pp.256-8.<\/p>\n

Individuals in Israel who make such conscience-based choices are supported by Mesarvot<\/a>, one of the organizations that supports Israeli \u2018refuseniks\u2019 in a campaign against the occupation of Palestine.<\/p>\n

[An earlier organization \u2013 Yesh Gvul<\/a> (\u2018There is a limit\u2019) \u2013 was founded in 1982 \u2018as a political movement aimed at supporting refuseniks and conscientious objectors\u2019. It now appears to be inactive.]<\/p>\n

But the potential for something more significant might be inferred from this article by Shimri Zameret, a soldier who conscientiously resisted participation in the Israeli military response to the Palestinian second Intifada, spending 21 months in prison as a result, and now comments on disquiet within the military for the anti-democratic \u2018reforms\u2019 pursued by Netanyahu in 2023. See \u2018A mass wave of Israeli army refusal could be a transformative moment\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Zameret and many others are part of another organization \u2013 the Refuser Solidarity Network<\/a> \u2013 that also supports soldiers opposed to the occupation and the policies (genocidal and otherwise) that derive from it.<\/p>\n

A version of resistance of this type \u2013 not reported as based on conscience or international law \u2013 has just occurred when \u2018half the soldiers of an Israeli reserve battalion refused to fight in the Gaza Strip and were released from duty by their commander\u2026 after the army tried to send them to fight and carry out combat missions within Gaza for which they were not qualified or adequately equipped\u2019. See \u2018Israeli reserve soldiers refuse to fight in Gaza: Half a brigade was released from duty after complaining of poor training and lack of weapons before deployment to Gaza\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In any case, there is enough evidence of disquiet among young Israeli conscripts and serving soldiers (and possibly personnel in other services, such as the intelligence services) concerned about participating in the genocide and occupation to make it strategically worthwhile for people, whether in Israel or elsewhere, to contact serving personnel with encouragement to consider their conscience about the moral path in this context and offers to listen while they deliberate.<\/p>\n

(6) To cause the private military contractors (mercenaries) employed by the Israeli Army to refuse to participate in the genocide in Gaza and\/or in maintenance of the occupation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One way in which Israel minimizes Israeli deaths in Gaza (and conceals the extent of the overall death toll) is by employing mercenaries to fight on the front line of the genocide. See \u2018Israel\u2019s use of thousands of foreign mercenaries in attacks on Gaza sparks debate\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to one source, there are an estimated 28,000 mercenaries in the Israeli military. This constitutes a heavy drain on the Israeli economy, which is now being threatened by various measures. See \u2018Gaza Exhausted Israel\u2019s Economy\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Apart from efforts to dissuade foreign soldiers from joining the Israeli military, increasing pressure on the Israeli economy will make it difficult for ordinary Israelis impacted \u2013 as Mohandas K. Gandhi understood the Indian boycott of cloth imports from Manchester in defence of the indigenous khadi industry would make it difficult for workers in England \u2013 but the Israeli leadership will endeavour to hold out against enormous pressure as it will be directed to do. Nevertheless, there are many measures that can be taken, including those outlined below, to keep this pressure building.<\/p>\n

(7) To cause the officers in the Israeli police and Shin Bet (the security agency) in Israel to refuse to obey orders to inflict violence on Israeli nonviolent activists and to arrest, assault, torture and shoot Palestinians, medical personnel, foreign aid workers, journalists, solidarity activists and others in Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Again, there are many historical precedents around the world of police refusing orders to inflict violence on populations they police, including during the lockdowns imposed as part of the restrictions enforced under the recent Covid-19 regime. See \u2018Policing the Elite\u2019s Technocracy: How Do We Resist This Effectively?\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

And there is already substantial dissatisfaction within the Israeli Police for various reasons, leading significant numbers to leave the force. A key reason for the dissatisfaction is that senior officers are often abusive of lower ranks (in various ways) and, whether in the police or Shin Bet, punishment of these officers is virtually non-existent (or trivial when it happens). See \u2018Why do so many Israel Police officers quit?\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, there is enormous pressure on Israeli activists against the genocide and occupation with police beatings and recent bans on protests just two of the hurdles. See \u2018Israel Police Bars Protests Against Gaza War, Citing Inability to Protect Public, Prevent Violence\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite this, key personnel in the Israeli anti-occupation movement are not bowed as the short video of 23-year-old Gaia Dan clearly demonstrates. See \u2018Police Are Beating and Arresting Anti-Zionists in Israel\u2019s \u201cCoexistence\u201d Capital: Israeli authorities are trying to stamp out Haifa\u2019s anti-occupation bloc\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the long legacy of nonviolent struggle in extremely violent contexts has much to teach nonviolent activists about dealing powerfully with such situations. This article offers 20 ideas of use in both the Israeli and Palestinian contexts: \u2018Nonviolent Action: Minimizing the Risk of Violent Repression\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not every police or Shin Bet officer will follow orders to be violent unthinkingly. Our challenge is to amplify their inclination to do what is right, irrespective of the orders they are given.<\/p>\n

(8) To cause military personnel in the military forces of Israeli-allied countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere to refuse deployment to the conflict zone near Israel and Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In immediate response to Israel\u2019s attack on Gaza, the United States deployed military forces \u2013 including two aircraft carrier strike groups, a range of aircraft and troops \u2013 to the Middle East. See \u20182,000 US Troops Ordered to Prepare for Deployment in Growing Response to Israel War with Hamas\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Since then, the United States has set up and deployed \u2018Operation Prosperity Guardian\u2019, a multinational coalition supposedly intended \u2018to help protect merchant ships in the Red Sea area from drones and missiles\u2019 fired by Yemen\u2019s Ansar Allah against vessels perceived to be supporting, directly or indirectly, Israel\u2019s attacks on Gaza. See \u2018US unveils international force to defend Red Sea. Here\u2019s what we know\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But deployments of this nature increase the risk of the war escalating in Palestine or expanding into the region, as the US foreign policy elite has long planned \u2013 see \u2018Expanding Middle East War. Planned US-Israeli Attack on Iran, the War on Energy, Strategic Waterways\u2019<\/a> \u2013 and is now happening. See \u2018Three Hours of Fire and Fury: How US and UK Unleashed Over 100 Missiles on More Than 60 Houthi Targets Using Jets, Warships and a Sub in Meticulously Planned Strikes on Iran-backed Rebels in Yemen\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This can also be resisted by people, including anti-war activists, in the various countries (the United States, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain) that are deploying troops and weapons systems to the region by taking targeted nonviolent action against weapons producers and the troops facing deployment to the region. As always, see the list of possible actions in the article \u2018198 Tactics of Nonviolent Action\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(9) To cause members of trade unions and professional associations, activist groups, religious bodies, women\u2019s organizations, student bodies, consumer groups and ethnic groups, as well as artists, musicians, intellectuals and members of other key social groups in Israel to resist the genocide and the occupation by encouraging their members to boycott all government\/corporate media and social media that support the genocide or occupation and to withdraw their labor [temporarily\/permanently] from any organization complicit in the genocide and\/or occupation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is clear that there is disagreement among key Israelis about the genocide in Gaza and this is already manifesting. For example, lawyer and human rights activist Michael Sfard, \u2018on behalf of a group of lawyers and Israeli public figures, sent a letter to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara requesting that she take measures against public figures and officials, including lawmakers, who called for the annihilation of Palestinians in Gaza and ethnic cleansing.\u2019 See \u2018Israeli judiciary accused of silence concerning incitement to violence by officials against Palestinians: Lawyer. Michael Sfard says Attorney General does not care about incitement against Palestinians\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And while loudly condemned by most of his fellow MPs in the Israeli Knesset, Ofer Cassif had the courage to sign a petition in support of the hearing at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. In response to his widespread condemnation, Cassif noted \u2018I will not give up the fight for our existence as a moral society. This is true patriotism\u2026\u2019. See \u2018Balls of Steel\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While it will clearly take stronger actions than these to halt the genocide, like the efforts of those young Israelis resisting conscription into the Israeli military, they are undertaken by those who have a conscience and the courage to live it and all movements for justice are built on such individuals.<\/p>\n

No doubt Israel has plenty more yet and one of our tasks is to encourage Israelis to act and support them when they do. There are plenty of people in the United States and elsewhere who could usefully focus some effort on contacting Israelis they know and encouraging them to take a conscientious stand (and perhaps listen supportively while any individual considers such a course).<\/p>\n

As mentioned above, there are trade unions, professional associations, religious bodies, women\u2019s organizations and a great many other groups in Israel that can be approached to ask their members to boycott media supporting the genocide\/occupation and to consider withdrawing their labor from organizations that are complicit.<\/p>\n

The wider the resistance is spread, the less pressure there is on any one individual.<\/p>\n

(10) To cause members of trade unions and professional associations, activist groups, religious bodies, women\u2019s organizations, student bodies, consumer groups and ethnic groups, as well as artists, musicians, intellectuals and members of other key social groups in countries in which governments are complicit in the genocide (including the USA, UK, Germany and other European countries particularly) to resist the genocide and the occupation by encouraging their members to boycott all government\/corporate media and social media that support the genocide or occupation and to withdraw their labor [temporarily\/permanently] from any organization complicit in the genocide and\/or occupation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just one of many examples where such noncooperation is now occurring is in the United States government where both Administration and Congressional staffers who are distressed by the genocide are clearly expressing their dissent \u2013 see \u2018U.S. diplomats slam Israel policy in leaked memo\u2019<\/a> \u2013 two have already resigned rather than be complicit \u2018in Biden\u2019s fervent support for the war\u2019 \u2013 see \u2018War on Gaza: Internal anger with Biden and Congress reaches boiling point\u2019<\/a> \u2013 and hundreds of federal employees across 22 federal agencies were due to walkout to observe a \u2018Day of Mourning\u2019 to mark 100 days of Israel\u2019s genocidal campaign in Gaza. See \u2018US government employees plan walkout over Biden\u2019s Gaza policies\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The point is that this discontent is everywhere and, at some point, the more courageous will act and inspire many around them, whatever organization in which they work.<\/p>\n

And other forms of resistance that are especially effective in that particular context can be considered. Again, for inspiration, consider \u2018198 Tactics of Nonviolent Action\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(11) To cause members of trade unions and labor organizations, activist groups, religious bodies, women\u2019s organizations, student bodies, consumer groups and ethnic groups, as well as artists, musicians, intellectuals and members of other key social groups in countries in which governments are complicit in the genocide (including the USA, UK, Germany and other European countries particularly) to resist the genocide and the occupation by encouraging their members to boycott those products that are extracted (or produced) and exported by corporations acting in concert with the Israeli government.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Notably, in this category, Israel is using corporations such as Siemens and Chevron to extract gas from the eastern Mediterranean \u2013 see \u2018Siemens and Chevron: Stop Fueling Apartheid and Climate Disaster\u2019<\/a> \u2013 and, as some authors have explained previously, yet another part of the long-standing plan behind the current genocide is undoubtedly to enable Israeli seizure of the gigantic Leviathan maritime natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Gaza. See \u2018\u201cWiping Gaza Off The Map\u201d: Big Money Agenda. Confiscating Palestine\u2019s Maritime Natural Gas Reserves\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While Felicity Arbuthnot, in the 2013 article just cited, nominated the interest of the BG Group in Gaza\u2019s gas and oil reserves, in early 2016, the BG Group became part of Shell Global. See \u2018Combining Shell and BG: a simpler and more profitable company\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, Shell has been a Rothschild corporation since the very early 20th century. According to the Rothschild Archive: \u2018As it turned out, Rothschilds had a decisive influence in shaping Royal Dutch Shell, more so than anyone had previously imagined.\u2019 See \u2018Searching for oil in Roubaix\u2019<\/a>. But Shell does not represent the only Rothschild investment in energy supplies.<\/p>\n

Consequently, widespread and persistent consumer boycotts that target Shell, Chevron (for which the key brand names are Texaco and Caltex) and Siemens products could play a valuable role in compelling these corporations, and their Elite owners, to reconsider their role in sponsoring the genocide and occupation.<\/p>\n

(12) To cause people in your country to boycott Israel as a tourist destination.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The genocide in Gaza has had a significant, adverse impact on the Israeli economy. See \u2018Gaza Exhausted Israel\u2019s Economy\u2019<\/a>. Causing people to boycott Israel as a tourist destination (in favor of traveling elsewhere) is an effective way to reduce Israeli government finance available for the genocide and occupation.<\/p>\n

An important subset of this, which focuses more on removing the apparent legitimacy attached to Israeli institutions, is advocated by the BDS Movement and involves the encouragement of academics, prominent entertainers, cultural figures (such as writers and artists) and sportspeople to boycott Israel. See \u2018Academic Boycott\u2019<\/a> and \u2018Cultural Boycott\u2019<\/a>.\u00a0Individuals in this category can set a powerful example for their colleagues\/fans.<\/p>\n

In her own variation on what the BDS Movement encourages, popular Bosnian author Lana Bastasic has taken a huge cut in earnings to express her solidarity with Palestine. See \u2018Author\u2019s split with German publisher over \u201csilence on Gaza\u201d causes her huge loss of earnings\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(13) To cause the workers in the trade unions and professional associations that work for individual weapons corporations (such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, Lockheed Martin and Boeing) that supply weapons to the Israeli military to withdraw their labor [partially\/wholly], [temporarily\/permanently].<\/strong><\/p>\n

The American Friends Service Committee has compiled a valuable resource identifying \u2018The [Weapons] Companies Profiting from Israel\u2019s 2023 Attack on Gaza\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thus, whether in relation to an Israeli weapons corporation, such as Elbit Systems<\/a> and Rafael, or a weapons corporation in the US, the UK, Germany or other countries that supply weapons to Israel, each trade union and\/or professional association representing employees working for the corporation is effectively supporting individuals to participate in enabling the genocide and maintenance of the occupation.<\/p>\n

Individuals and organizations can be encouraged to choose not to do so using a variety of means, always beginning with dialogue but then, if the issue cannot be resolved through listening and clear communication, using a range of nonviolent tactics at worksites, ranging from demonstrations and picket lines to selective strikes (on making particular weapons) and blockades. But again, plenty of options here: \u2018198 Tactics of Nonviolent Action\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(14) To cause corporations that provide vital services\/components to weapons corporations that supply weapons to Israel to cease doing so.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This could happen by campaigning against companies such as Martin-Baker<\/a>, the family business in Britain that supplies the ejection seats for fighter jets such as the F-35\u2019s made by US weapons corporation Lockheed Martin and used by Israel. See \u2018How One British Business Could Stop Israeli Jets Bombing Gaza: UK-made ejection seats are in the cockpit of most Western fighter jets, including Israel\u2019s air force\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But there are a great many possibilities as the sheer diversity of parts in military weapons means that many corporations are drawn into the staggering array of supply lines. Choosing those services and components that are more specific and critical to military impact \u2013 including command, control, communications, delivery, targeting \u2013 rather than some insignificant, generic part, will ensure strategic value derives from success in any campaign.<\/p>\n

If this isn\u2019t feasible (or efforts fail) in a particular context, consider the following strategic goal.<\/p>\n

(15) To cause the workers in the relevant trade unions or labor organizations to withdraw their labor [temporarily\/permanently] [partially\/wholly] from those corporations that supply services\/components to weapons corporations that supply weapons to Israel.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A corporation management might not have a conscience but plenty of workers do, and approaching them through their trade union or labor organization might open opportunities to discuss possible ways they can noncooperate with the genocide and occupation.<\/p>\n

(16) To cause vessels and cargo planes engaged in transporting goods and weapons to or from Israel to cease doing so [temporarily\/permanently].<\/strong><\/p>\n

This has already happened in response to the military attacks by Ansar Allah [the Houthis] in the Red Sea. See \u2018Chinese Shipping Giant COSCO to Stop Visiting Israeli Ports: The decision comes despite the low chances of the Houthis attacking a Chinese vessel\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These attacks have also caused significant disruption. See \u2018Support for vessels rerouting from the Red Sea\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And while Ansar Allah\u2019s use of violence \u2018justifies\u2019, in the eyes of many, the violent response of the United States which has now attacked Yemen (thus paving the way for a wider war) \u2013 see \u2018Major Escalation: Biden Launches War On Yemen\u2019<\/a> and \u2018Joint US-UK Assault on Houthis: Here\u2019s the Latest\u2019<\/a> \u2013 there are variations on delaying\/halting shipping that can be achieved by nonviolent means, including by government decision such as that made in Malaysia. See \u2018Global Supply Chains Falter as Malaysia Blocks Israeli Cargo Ships\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beyond that, however, and given that most governments won\u2019t do this, activists working in conjunction with local trade unions can do it too. For example, starting in the late 1980s in Australia, the combined efforts of nonviolent activists and trade unionists caused significant delays in the unloading of imported rainforest timber from cargo ships. The awareness generated by these widely publicized and graphic actions was used to mobilize a massive boycott of imported rainforest timber by the Australian community, effectively eliminating the trade within three years as entire industries switched to sourcing timber from more sustainable sources. Watch \u2018Time to Act\u2019<\/a> and see \u2018Nonviolent Struggle for the Rainforests\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, trade union action of this nature has a long history. For example, during the apartheid era in South Africa, Danish dock workers in 1963 decided not to unload ships carrying South African products, triggering a similar boycott in Sweden, England and elsewhere.<\/p>\n

In relation to Palestine, the first solidarity action of this nature occurred in South Africa when the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) decided not to unload an Israeli ship due to arrive in Durban on 8 February 2009. See \u2018The BNC Salutes South African Dock Workers Action!\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

And in 2014, the Arab Resource and Organizing Center in the United States launched Block the Boat<\/a> in response to the call by the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) and a coalition of all major Palestinian workers unions and professional associations who called on their fellow trade unionists and workers worldwide to boycott Israel and businesses that are complicit with its apartheid regime. They specifically urged a refusal to handle Israeli goods and support for union members refusing to build Israeli weapons.<\/p>\n

Analysing the ten-year history of \u2018Block the Boat\u2019 actions in various countries, researchers Rafeef Ziadah and Katy Fox-Hodess identified some crucial variables worth addressing to make these nonviolent actions have maximum impact. Critically, this included thinking carefully about how activists could most effectively get involved in working with unions and how activists can take some of the more extreme pressures off workers, particularly when sanctions for taking solidarity action are onerous. See \u2018Dockworkers and Labor Activists Can Block the Transport of Arms to Israel\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As an adjunct to their research, they offered these downloadable documents to assist activists and workers seeking to work together: \u2018Lessons on Organizing with Trade Unions to Build Solidarity Actions\u2019<\/a> and, from Workers in Palestine this \u2018Guidance Sheet for Trade Unionists on Building Solidarity with Palestine\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Workers in Palestine<\/a> has recently posted a video of nonviolent actions undertaken around the world to shut down weapons factories and disrupt weapons shipments to Israel in response to the genocide in Gaza.<\/p>\n

This has included several delays of ships of Israel\u2019s ZIM Integrated Shipping Services<\/a> at two ports by activists and workers in Australia, as discussed here: \u2018In Australia, Palestine Solidarity Activists Are Blockading ZIM Ships Owned by Israel\u2019<\/a>, \u2018The Economic Incentive: Blocking Israel\u2019s Supply Chain\u2019<\/a> and \u2018Australian police attack pro-Palestine protests blockading Israeli ship\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If nonviolent actions of this nature in solidarity with Palestine appeal to you and other activists in your local port, you can identify the arrival of Israel\u2019s ZIM vessels on their port schedule \u2013 see ZIM vessels Port schedule<\/a> \u2013 and track their vessels on either Marine Traffic<\/a> or Vessel Finder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Similarly, nonviolent action can be undertaken to disrupt, delay or halt the movement of military weapons by air, although it will need more than just protests such as this one in Cyprus. See \u2018UK\u2019s alleged use of Cyprus bases to arm Israel and hit Yemen draw protests\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(17) To cause consumers, including members of religious, service, sporting, business and other community organizations, to boycott those products produced by companies taking advantage of the Israeli occupation economy in Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the BDS Movement points out, it is superior strategy for people to focus their efforts on certain companies prioritized for targeting (because of their deep complicity in the occupation) rather than dissipate effort so widely that little impact is felt anywhere. See \u2018BDS Guide to Strategic Campaigning for Palestinian Rights\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Consequently, the companies that the BDS Movement recommends for targeting are listed in \u2018Act Now Against These Companies Profiting from the Genocide of the Palestinian People\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But if you want more comprehensive lists to view other companies you can boycott, the Who Profits Research Center<\/a> has compiled a list of companies to boycott because they profit from the Israeli occupation economy.<\/p>\n

The American Friends Service Committee has also compiled a list of companies, with two sectors additional to the \u2018Who Profits\u2019 list above. See \u2018Investigate: What are you invested in?\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

And the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has compiled a comprehensive \u2018A\/HRC\/43\/71: Database of all business enterprises involved in\u2026 the Israeli settlements\u2026 throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another simple option is to sign the \u2018No Tech for Apartheid\u2019 letter to Google and Amazon<\/a> for providing \u2018cloud technology to the Israeli government and military\u2026 to surveil Palestinians and force them off their land\u2019. But boycotting Google and Amazon is a far more powerful option given they are spying on you too as part of their role in advancing the Elite\u2019s technocracy.<\/p>\n

(18) To cause the individual and organizational investors (including religious and sporting bodies) of banks, asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds in Israel and elsewhere to shift their money to ethical banks and credit unions, asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds that do not finance, invest in or are otherwise involved in supplying banking, asset management, insurance or pension services to Israel (and Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine) or to weapons corporations that supply weapons to Israel.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Buy Into Occupation has compiled a valuable list of European banks and other financial institutions to boycott in their report \u2018European Financial Institutions\u2019 Continued Complicity in the Illegal Israeli Settlement Enterprise\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The BDS Movement specifically encourages divestment from the French multinational insurance giant AXA \u2018for its investments in Israeli banks [with Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, First International Bank of Israel, Israel Discount Bank, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank being the main five], which are deeply complicit in Israel\u2019s illegal settlement enterprise on occupied Palestinian land\u2019. See \u2018AXA Divest\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you live outside Europe or an organization is not listed and you are in doubt, the general principle is to always seek those (invariably smaller) institutions that identify as \u2018ethical\u2019 and investigate these to see if they deserve your patronage.<\/p>\n

As an aside, if your knowledge of the management (or membership) of a financial institution with which you deal suggests they might be willing to divest from Israel (or weapons corporations) without significant public engagement first, it may be worth your while to approach them to find out. Obviously, you do not need to boycott or organize a wider boycott of an institution that is responsive to dialogue.<\/p>\n

(19) To cause SpaceX<\/a>, which manufactures and deploys Starlink spy satellites to facilitate genocide in Gaza and the occupation of Palestine generally, to cease doing so.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One way in which pressure can be exerted is by mobilizing people, wherever they live, to boycott the Starlink service (and switch to another provider) in their area. Another less direct way is to boycott X (formerly Twitter) because it is also owned by Elon Musk (who owns SpaceX).<\/p>\n

Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not all of the strategic goals nominated above will need to be achieved for the strategy to be successful but each goal is focused in such a way that its achievement will functionally undermine the power of those conducting the genocide and the occupation.<\/p>\n

Once the genocide is halted, this list would still constitute the foundation for a refined set of strategic goals to guide the strategy to liberate Palestine (taken from the generalized list here): \u2018Strategic Goals for Removing a Military Occupation\u2019<\/a> or, for the fullest elaboration, The Strategy of Nonviolent Defense: A Gandhian Approach<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>_______________________________________________<\/em><\/p>\n

These strategic goals were originally published in the\u00a0TMS article (29 Jan 2024), \u2018Nonviolent Strategy to Halt the Genocide in Gaza, Liberate Palestine and Defeat the Global Technocracy\u2019<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Robert Burrowes, Ph.D. is a member of the <\/em>TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment<\/em><\/a> and has a lifetime commitment to understanding and ending human violence. He has done extensive research since 1966 in an effort to understand why human beings are violent and has been a nonviolent activist since 1981. He is the author of <\/em>Why Violence?<\/a> Websites:<\/strong> (<\/em>We Are Human, We Are Free<\/em><\/a>) (<\/em>Charter<\/em><\/a>)\u00a0 (<\/em>Flame Tree Project<\/em><\/a>)\u00a0 (<\/em>Songs of Nonviolence<\/em><\/a>) (<\/em>Nonviolent Campaign Strategy<\/em><\/a>) (Nonviolent Defense\/Liberation Strategy<\/em><\/a>) (<\/em>Robert J. Burrowes<\/em><\/a>) (<\/em>Feelings First<\/em><\/a>)\u00a0Email: <\/em>flametree@riseup.net<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Go to Original – nonviolentstrategygazapalestine.wordpress.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If the genocide in Gaza is to be halted and the occupation of Palestine ended, it will require a substantial mobilization of people to participate in a comprehensive strategically-oriented campaign that precisely identifies the tactics to be undertaken (not just a random list of actions) and, as the historical record demonstrates, not by using secrecy and sabotage in their execution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":76959,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[1235,1733,1009,2230,1913,555,87,865,2229,88,444,1243,1779,1213,3147,2841,70,1802],"class_list":["post-284428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transcend-members","tag-1235","tag-artificial-intelligence-ai","tag-big-tech","tag-bilderberg-group","tag-bill-gates","tag-elites","tag-gaza","tag-genocide","tag-great-reset","tag-israel","tag-nonviolence","tag-nonviolent-action","tag-nonviolent-communication","tag-super-rich","tag-technocracy","tag-tyranny","tag-usa","tag-world-economic-forum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=284428"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":284432,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284428\/revisions\/284432"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=284428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=284428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=284428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}