8 Ways to Help the People of Gaza

As the news keeps flooding in of hospitals destroyed, schools obliterated, homes shattered to pieces and more and more innocent children dying, the situation in Gaza seems all but hopeless.

There is no consolation for a mother who has lost her three month old child in an unfathomable way.

There is no justification for an occupation that has lasted decades.

However, thanks to social media, as can be clearly seen via photos of Eid-ul-Fitr Celebrations just days ago; even as bombs continue to rain down, the people of Gaza have not given up hope, and neither can we.

Their resilience must be our inspiration, their mere existence, our motivation. We must continue to speak out against the violence and terror being inflicted on innocents.

Here are ten ways, though may seem trivial, might just add up to make a world of a difference:

1. Participate in a Peaceful Protest

Organize a local protest in your area or attend one already scheduled. Since the onset of Operation Protective Edge on July 8, hundreds of protests have been organized around the world with millions of people in attendance. It is important to show solidarity with the people of Palestine, that even if the majority of world leaders are doing nothing, we the people, we hear them, we see them, and our hearts are broken by their suffering. In front of the entire world, we acknowledge their right to self-determination, and we stand with them.

2. Engage on Social Media

Social media is one of the most powerful organization tools available. Facebook and Twitter have been attributed to organizing a revolution in Egypt and contributing to the downfall of many regimes that had been in power for decades.

Why can't it help the people of Palestine?

Use social media to raise awareness, express outrage over the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians and correct factual misconception, so that the longstanding fabricated narrative, can once and for all be replaced by the truth.

Tweet, comment, and message celebrities who have expressed their support for Palestine and thank them for their support. Especially as some celebrities, like Rihanna have expressed their concern for Palestinians on twitter, and then immediately rescinded and apologized for it.

You can find a list of celebrities who have spoken out in support of Gaza.

3. Talk to friends and family on a personal level

As the saying goes, fix the heart, and the rest will follow. Appeal to people's heart and give them the facts, starting with the beginning of the conflict. The narrative of what is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict pushed by the mainstream media is so fictitious that many people have no idea of the truth.

One of the most ridiculous examples of this when Fox News posted a photo of a destroyed building in Gaza captioned with attack on Israel.

Here is another example, as Russell Brand breaks down Sean Hannity's interview with a Palestinian supporter.

4. Write a letter to the president, call your congressman, sign a petition and say why you support an end to the violence and an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine

There are tons of different organizations out there that have started letters and petitions to the President, and secretary of state John Kerry to end the violence in Gaza.

Here's one on Moveon.org: Tell @WhiteHouse & @JohnKerry: End Gaza War and Lift Blockade.

Amnesty International has a petition/letter to urge the US government to end arms to Israel.

5. Donate to a charity that is helping children in Palestine. Here are a few

Save the Children has a Gaza Children in Crisis Fund.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has an Emergency Gaza Appeal Fund.
Islamic Relief USA also has an Emergency Appeal for Gaza Fund.

6. Support the BDS movement

The BDS movement website is packed with loads of information on the BDS movement and how to get involved.

Perhaps this is one of the most effective ways of supporting Palestine. According to the BDS movement website, the consumer boycott is beginning to bite, too: a fifth of Israeli exporters reported a drop in demand as a result of the boycott in the wake of the Gaza massacre."

Here is one list of 9 Brands You Can Boycott to Hold Israel Accountable for Its Violation of International Law.

Write a letter to companies, Tweet to them or Facebook them, telling them you refuse to buy their products until they stop supporting the occupation.

7. Make Dua'a, #PrayforPalestine

It may seem like the least activist thing to do, but for the billions of believers around the world, prayer is the most powerful weapon. Organize an interfaith prayer and invite people from all religions and backgrounds. Pray not just for Palestine, but for all the poor and oppressed.

8. And last but not least, support peace building initiatives

There are many Muslim and Jewish organizations who are working together to bring peace. There are also many Jewish organizations who have spoken out against the occupation and against the violence. Some of the most prominent and striking come from an organization called Breaking the Silence, where former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, speak of the horrors of the occupation.

Support the hashtag #JewsAndArabsRefuseToBeEnemies and others like it.. Although this hashtag has been criticized for portraying an equal playing field, the group's Facebook page has sought to clarify its position. This hashtag is one small example of a much larger and growing movement.

That is, supporting Palestine is not exclusive to one religion, ethnicity or race. Supporting Palestine is about standing up against oppression, against colonization, against discrimination, and against inequality.

Supporting Palestine is about standing up for humanity.