Youth for Nationalism and Democracy hosted a forum to advocate for Palestine. The whole event was filled with meaningful discussions, cultural performances, and students’ support with Palestine against Israel, war crisis, and imperialists. Solidarity does not stop with just learning and making everyone hear your voice; it takes action to truly stand against inhumanity, with that being said Solidarity with Palestine: Stop the war that was held at Bulwagang Tandang Sora in University of the Philippines, Diliman this 18th of June, 2024, engaged students and deepened their understanding about Israeli-Palestine conflict, the role of US imperialist into this genocide, and its effect on this generation and unto the next, and mobilized them for the advocacy. It is crucial for us to make a move and take a stand on these issues, this event ignited one’s passion to be united and stand with Palestine against imperialism and global monopoly

 

The ongoing crisis of war in Palestine is no longer just a regional conflict—it is an international crisis that needs to be addressed immediately.  The event included discussions on historical perspectives on Israeli-Palestine conflict, role of the youth, and why do we need to understand and take a stand on this issue that was discussed by Dean Julkipli M. Wadi. The discussions tackled the conflict and war on Israel and Palestine, role of the youth on why they must stand against this ongoing crisis, and the nation’s role to act. It highlighted Zionism as the root cause of Israel’s attack on Palestine. It was also made clear that there was someone backing Israel to continue the massive genocide, the US imperialist is there to control Israels’ interest on Zionism and therefore leading to the war crisis. But as Dean Wadi said as a reminder, we are not up against a race or religions, we do not loathe the Jews, we are against their wrongdoing—genocide on Palestine. The discussions also emphasized the relevance of studying the similarities Philippines has with these countries, how the US imperialist was behind the Palestinian genocide, and the role of US in the worldwide monopoly that was deepened by DJ Janier, one of the speakers. It centered on how the US imperialist was in control of the ongoing genocide on Palestine as cause of Israel’s Zionism. The discussions provided information on US bases on Philippines and how the Philippines’ being used as a port for delivering war machines and armaments on US allied countries. It emphasized how the US was bloodthirsty for war that it has over a trillion dollars fund for army troops, machines, and armaments.

Dive Deeper, Know Better.  An open forum held to better understand and clarify the situation.

The event ensured that there should be no questions left unanswered as we held an open forum where everyone was free to clarify any questions they had in mind regarding these issues. It was a fruitful learning experience where everyone had the chance to deepen their understanding on what is really happening, their roles to stop the conflict, and the true villain that should be recognized. 

From Philippine to Palestine: We stand against genocide. Cultural presentations that shows support with Palestine against Israel.

Just as learning and understanding is crucial, it is also important to cultivate cultural performances to share compassion for and with others. It is one of our ways to show solidarity and unity with the Palestinos, to ensure that they are heard and felt by offering performances that entails our understanding on their situation. 

 

As stated, everything does not stop with learning and understanding—an action is required to stand, to be heard, and to be seen. After the discussions about Palestine’s situation, the event participants were given the time and materials to make their own call for actions banners and posters that will be used for the mobilization. The students and YND members held a mobilization from Bulwagang Tandang Sora to Quezon Hall and back to Bulwagang Tandang Sora. It is through this that we ensure that we had a meaningful participation and engagement. 

It was indeed a meaningful, fruitful, and productive event!

 

Prepared by:
Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND)
June 21, 2024.