On March 17, the International Coalition to Stop Genocide in Palestine (ICSGP) held its first Global Call to Action as a webinar simultaneously translated into five languages. The goals of the meeting were to share ways that groups are working to build public support for an end to Israel’s genocidal acts, provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians and amplify the global anti-colonial, anti-imperial movement.
The ICSGP convened in late December, 2023 to push for Israel to be held accountable under the Genocide Convention for its acts in Palestine. Around the same time as the coalition formed, South Africa filed a case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (World Court). ICSGP members worked to build formal international support for the case via Declarations of Intervention submitted to the court and to mobilize social movements around the world to stop the genocide.
The initial letter released by the ICSGP was signed by 2,000 organizations from over 120 countries. Member organizations regularly hold events in support of Palestinian liberation and against the Israeli occupation and genocide.
Following the announcement of the withholding of financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and given the blockade of aid to Gaza at the Rafah border crossing, resulting in the intentional starvation of people in Gaza, the coalition began global days of fasting to raise funds for Palestinian-led groups that are providing direct aid to Gazans. The next one will be on April 13, 2024. Currently, organizations are signing onto a letter denouncing the use of starvation as a tool of genocide. Sign the letter here (organizations only please).
The speakers were:
Ajamu Baraka of Black Alliance for Peace moderated the meeting.
Azhar Sakoor is an attorney and serves as Executive with the Palestine Solidarity Alliance Youth League in South Africa.
Marcy Winograd co-hosts with Medea BenjamIn CODEPINK Congress, a bimonthly program on US foreign policy. In addition, she co-produces CODEPINK Radio, a podcast aired on most Pacifica stations, and oversees CODEPINK’s campaign to support South Africa’s case at the World Court.
Pawel Wargan is a researcher and organizer. He serves as the Coordinator of the Secretariat at the Progressive International. (preferred)
Lamis Deek is a Palestinian born and internationally practicing attorney based in New York whose work includes, civil, commercial, sanctions, compliance, national security, political, private and human rights law on the trials, appeals and transactional levels. In her advocacy she co-convened the Global Legal Alliance for Palestine, and founded the the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation Law Commission: On War crimes, justice, reparations and return.
Fuad Abu Saifa, an expert in agriculture and environmental issues, serves as the Director of the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), where he strongly supports Palestinian farmers’ rights. As a board member of La Via Campesina, he promotes the welfare of peasants worldwide and is the founder of the Indigenous Seed Bank in Palestine, highlighting his commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. He has initiated several development initiatives in Area “C” aimed at enhancing Palestinian resilience. His active participation in international alliances further underscores his impactful efforts in sustainable development and the advocacy for human rights.
Watch the meeting
English
Spanish
Portuguese
French (Translation begins about 50 minutes in)
Arabic