Sheffield Students Against Israel's Attack on Gaza

View the Union's 'End Israeli Occupation' policy

Between December 2008 and January 2009 Israeli military forces killed over a thousand Palestinians and injured thousands more. Many civilians were amongst the dead and wounded, including women and children. Targets included the Islamic University campus, schools, the United Nations Relief & Works Agency buildings (killing 8 students and wounding 19), many mosques and an ambulance. According to the UN, over 13,000 Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes. 4 Israeli citizens were killed in the conflict, and scores were injured.

The Gazan people were already suffering a crippling humanitarian crisis before Israel’s military offensive began. For more than a year Israel has closed Gaza’s borders as a protective measure against the perceived regular threat from Hamas, but has also prevented food, vital medical supplies and other basic necessities entering Gaza. Since the beginning of Israel’s attack, this crisis has deepened. International aid organisations were unable to enter Gaza with sufficient medical and food supplies to treat the wounded and feed the starving – threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the process.

The beginnings and Israeli justification of self-defence for Hamas breaking the ceasefire leading to the recent crisis in Gaza have been debated rigorously. This video highlights the issues surrounding the subject.

The background to this conflict is one of terror and attacks from both sides but this Union believes that the Israeli claim of self-defence in this case has been shattered by the number of casualties that show a startling disproportionality in the impact of the attacks and have affected a huge humanitarian crisis on to the Gazan people, and will continue to campaign against the effects of these attacks.

More on the background to this story and the Israel Palestine conflict as a whole

To help those affected by the Gaza Crisis you can donate to the DEC’s campaign.

What can I do?

Join our Campaign

The Students’ Union is working with the Palestine Society, Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign and others to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to campaign for Israel to stop its assault. For up to date information of how you can get involved with our campaign and support the people of Palestine please contact palestine@sheffield.ac.uk or join the facebook group 'Sheffield Students Against Israel’s Attack on Gaza'

Demonstrate

Hundreds of thousands of people have joined demonstrations across the world to make their voices heard. A national demonstration was held on Saturday, 10th January in London (see below). Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign held a vigil outside the Town Hall every Saturday at 12:00pm until the killing stops. We will tell you about future plans for protests.

Contact your MP

Demand that they push the government and/or their party to clearly condemn the attack on Gaza. Find your MP at www.theyworkforyou.com

Monitor the media

Newspapers, TV channels and radio stations have given biased accounts of Israel's attack. They have understated the hugely disproportionate nature of the death toll and favoured Israeli spokespeople over Palestinian ones. Phone in to complain or write a letter or email. TV and radio have laws governing balanced reporting, especially the BBC, so they have to take your concern on board.

See the ENGAGE guide for more information on how to do these things and more.