Aid is not enough to help Palestine

There are thousands of British Muslim charities in the UK with a collective donor base of millions. With the scale of impact charities have — not only on the causes they aid abroad, but towards the British Muslim community that place their trust in them — the duty to use their resources, platforms, and capabilities are greater than ever.

Contents

Equivalent of three nuclear bombs have wrought devastation on Gaza Aid can only go so far in Palestine and other conflict zones Misconception that charities must be apolitical To be neutral is to side with the oppressors Muslim organisations must co-ordinate and mobilise Action points Also read

Since the 7^th of October 2023, the illegal Zionist entity has instituted a genocide by brutally killing over 27,478 Palestinians in one of the largest military attacks on a civilian population in modern history. [1]

Equivalent of three nuclear bombs have wrought devastation on Gaza

By November, the independent non-profit Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor stated that the Zionist entity had already dropped more than 25,000 tonnes of explosives on the densely populated Gaza Strip, destroying living conditions for 2.3 million civilians. [2]

This, alone, is double the amount of explosive yield present in the nuclear bomb the United States dropped on Hiroshima. The 63 TJ “Little Boy” atom bomb obliterated absolutely everything in a one-mile radius. [2]

And by January 2024, the Gaza Media Office reported that over 65,000 tonnes of bombs had been dropped in 89 days.

“Occupation aircraft dropped over 45,000 missiles and giant bombs, some of them weighing 2,000 pounds of explosives, during the comprehensive genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, deliberately targeting entire residential areas.

“The weight of the explosives dropped by the army on the Gaza Strip exceeded 65,000 tonnes, which is more than the weight and power of three nuclear bombs like those dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.” [3]

Aid can only go so far in Palestine and other conflict zones

While charities have raised millions of pounds in aid for Palestine, we are aware that the Zionist entity’s intense blockade means that much aid cannot get into Gaza, except via agencies that have been operating there for a number of years. Such charities can send aid to Gaza and purchase aid within the country. [4]

Nonetheless, a limited amount of aid trucks are able to cross the Rafah border from Egypt into Palestine, rendering it wholly insufficient to meet the needs of a population of 2.3 million, 80 per cent of whom have been displaced into dire surroundings.

Agencies have also warned that perishable goods are being spoiled at the Egyptian border, due to the abovementioned restrictions on aid crossings and undue delays enforced by the Zionist authorities. [5]

With these harsh realities in mind, it’s necessary that we increase our advocacy and activism to push for long-term sustainable solutions for Palestine. While the so-called “international community” continues to refrain from putting pressure and sanctions on the Zionist entity, it continues to enjoy impunity for multiple human rights violations, oppression, and persecution towards the Palestinian people.

All of the above reasons are why we must raise our voices and advocate for solutions which lead to a self-sufficient Palestinian state liberated from over 75 years of occupation.

Misconception that charities must be apolitical

Charities have a huge platform to capitalise off of, so it is important they leverage the support of their donors to speak out for persecuted and oppressed Muslim communities.

Unfortunately, there is often a misunderstanding that charities need to be apolitical, but according to the Charity Commission — the UK non-ministerial department that regulates charitable organisations — this is simply not the case.

Indeed, the Charity Commission states on its website,

“Charities can undertake political activity in support of their charitable aims … Charities are free to participate in public debates and to use their voice to try to influence decisions which will support the work of the charity.” [6]

The regulatory body also adds,

“Charities are free to use emotive and controversial material to highlight a particular issue or campaign, so long as the material is backed up with evidence.” [6]

To be neutral is to side with the oppressors

The Zionist occupation of Palestine, its apartheid system, and crimes against humanity have long been corroborated by human rights bodies and international law. [7]

As Muslim charities that seek to serve the wider global Ummah, we have a greater duty to speak the truth and uphold justice in the face of oppression, as per the tradition of our faith. Not only do we have the legal right to speak the truth, but our religious morals and principles instruct us to do so!

We are blessed to be part of an Ummah that values their brothers and sisters in faith so dearly, to be of one body, such that when one part aches, the whole body responds.

This is why Palestine is close to the hearts of Muslims all over the world. Our work as British charities and institutions is not only serving our own specific circle or organisation, but contributing to the betterment of the wider Muslim Ummah.

In addition, we also have a responsibility to our beneficiaries whom we seek to serve and build trust. If we lose direction, we will end up trying to preserve the institutions rather than the values, purpose, and mission upon which we built these organisations.

Muslim organisations must co-ordinate and mobilise

Muslim charities often face undue scrutiny and pressure from right-wing media and politicians due to Islamophobia, this can lead to self-censoring and being risk-averse.

In particular, in the past four months we have seen Muslim institutions under the spotlight for their support towards Palestine. However, if such charities co-ordinate together, we can support one another in overcoming such challenges.

It is not about preserving our own organisations, but rather looking at the bigger picture and working towards supporting the Muslim community and the values that we all stand for.

Our impact towards supporting Palestine will always be greater as a collective as opposed to individuals, and we should not be afraid to call out the oppressors.

Action points

Pressure political leaders to call for a cessation of hostilities and cut diplomatic links with the illegal Zionist entity.
Use your platforms to raise your voice, uphold truth and justice, and expose oppressors!
Back initiatives seeking to liberate Palestine from Zionist occupation; read Human Aid & Advocacy's guidance for more tips.