Anti-Israel movement growing worldwide: Activist

Press TV has conducted an interview with Massoud Shadjareh, head of the Islamic Human Rights Commmission in London, to discuss the worldwide rallies on International Quds Day in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian nation.

Following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: What is the significance of this year’s International Quds Day particularly as it is coming a year after Israel’s 50-day onslaught on the Gaza Strip?

Shadjareh: The significance of this International Quds Day is really quite clear. It shows that people right across the globe are rising up and acknowledging the ongoing slaughter and abuses of the Zionist [entity] which has become part of its nature, and the victimization of the ordinary innocent people and the suffering and the war crimes committed systematically. It is not just what happened last year but between last year and now still people are suffering, they do not have homes, they do not have basic immunities, they do not have enough to eat and this is going on and on.

But what is really significant is the fact that globally this movement of anti-Zionism standing in support of the Palestinians is growing day by day. Every year I see new parts of the world, capitals and other cities are joining this largest, global annual demonstration, and this is fantastic and this is happening despite the fact that there is bullying going on, demonization of those either countries, organizations, individuals, even academics who are standing against this oppression. We are being demonized, we are being pressurized on a daily basis and still people are rising up.

Let us not forget what happened last year in places like Nigeria, 34 people became Shaheed (martyrs) and they were gunned down in cold blood by the military of Nigeria in support of Israel and so those who are becoming Shaheed, those who are giving their lives are not just in Palestine. They are right across the globe and it really moves one when we see that it is not just those of us who just, all we have to do is go and join this march, people are giving their lives happily and with pleasure to stand up for what is right and to stand up for justice and to stand up against oppressors and that is really moving. 

Places like Kashmir, who they themselves are oppressed, places like Yemen, who are giving lives but still on a day like this they come out in their thousands and stand up shoulder to shoulder with the oppressed. This is in many ways very moving because is the brotherhood of those who are standing against oppression.

Press TV: There is this feeling of an international conspiracy of silence even now we are not seeing any concrete action being taken against Israel - be it for its onslaught on the Gaza Strip, not just the one that we saw in 2014 but the previous ones as well, or be it for the mass arrests, the forced evictions, the land grabs, illegal settlement building or its illegal separation barrier.

Shadjareh: Yes, it really is outrageous and it is unbelievable that the international community is so involved in this silence, support of atrocities committed by Zionist state and we also see that unfortunately more countries, including Saudi Arabia and others, who are actually coming and becoming party to these atrocities being committed and they are becoming supporters of Israel. In many ways I think on one side we are seeing a huge increase in understanding of the oppression committed by the Zionist state right across the world including Europe and United States. More ordinary people are becoming aware of it but then on other side we are seeing very clear support by parties as I said like the Saudis and Qataris and so forth in support of Israel.

So in reality what we are seeing much more clear divisions of those who are supporting the oppressors and those who are standing in support of the oppressed. I think things are becoming much clearer and the lines are becoming much clearer. It is not as blur as it was in the past and I think in some ways that is a success of the movement in support of the Palestinians but still the suffering goes on. The suffering goes on not just in Palestine but suffering goes on [among] those who are standing in support of the Palestinians and I think this is the way that is moving forward but what is very important is that ordinary people - be it in United States, Europe or Middle East - are supporters of the Palestinians and we are seeing this support increasing on a daily basis. So the days of Zionist oppression is outnumbered and it will be just a matter of time before they will have to answer for all the crimes that they have committed.

Press TV: Well speaking of that, you have just said that the lines are becoming clearer as International Quds Day rallies spread across the world and there is more awareness vis-à-vis the Palestinian cause and the role of Israel in oppression - be it against the Palestinians or be it through providing aid to Takfiri terrorists in Syria.

However, I’d like to get your opinion on how to translate this awareness into action? We have the BDS movement but what more can be done specifically as these international bodies seem to have failed the Palestinians?

Shadjareh: The structures like UN and international law has failed the Palestinians and the reason is because the politicians and the politics of the world is very pro-Israel and Israelis have managed to control that aspect. But I think what is important as the BDS shows, we need to go to masses and that process is working, masses are becoming aware.

People in United States are now saying why is it that the Israelis are getting support for their housing, for their electricity, they get free education, they get free health with the money that is being poured in by United States but ordinary US citizens cannot have any of that.

And these messages need to get through and BDS is working, the boycott is working but we need to strengthen that. I think if we as campaigners and the champions of justice concentrate on educating the masses, that is the better avenue than walking up and down the corridors of the UN and holding our breath, waiting for the UN to do something as the UN hasn’t done anything for any oppressed people. And I am not saying that we should not hold them account but I do not think we should put our effort and hold our breath to see any change through those avenues.  

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