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The Ancient Greek writer Aeschylus observed that, in war, truth is often the first casualty. However, in the increasingly polarised discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is more likely to be empathy. As the Green Party gathers for its Autumn conference, a party rooted in social justice, there is a call to ‘deplatform’ Sally Abed, a young Palestinian activist.

Abed is scheduled to address a conference fringe via video on behalf of Standing Together, a peace movement based in Israel and jointly led by Arabs and Jews. Her virtual presence, it is claimed, would ‘normalise’ the violence being perpetrated by the Israeli government in Gaza. This is a dangerous misreading of the situation. Providing a platform for a Palestinian member of Standing Together is not an act of ‘normalisation’; it is, in Abed’s words, a vital step toward ‘radical empathy’ and an effective expression of solidarity with those on the left opposing the Netanyahu Government.

I feel that I need to state at this point that I am no fan of the Netanyahu government and believe our own government must do much more to end the war. This includes ending all defence contracts, arms sales and ensuring those responsible for the genocide in Gaza are prosecuted for war crimes. But true solidarity means engaging with all who seek peace, not just those who share a narrow view of how to achieve it.

Inviting a Palestinian from Standing Together represents a unique form of “co-resistance,” demonstrating that a path to liberation can be forged in collaboration with those Jewish and Arab Israelis who are also committed to justice and equality. Their presence at conference creates a crucial space for dissent and, for those still unconvinced by their commitment or methods, an opportunity for debate.
Abed and Standing Together are not seeking to normalise the status quo. On the contrary, their very appearance is an act of radical opposition to the Israeli right wing for whom Standing Together is a thorn in their side.

For example, Standing Together’s ‘Humanitarian Guard,’ has taken tangible action to protect Palestinian lives. They regularly protect aid convoys en route to Gaza from attacks by Israeli far-right extremists. Their presence has been crucial in forcing authorities to intervene and ensure safe passage. They are not there to whitewash the actions of the Israeli government but to expose them. Only this month, Standing Together activists invaded the studios of the pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 disrupting broadcast of a far-right talk show with messages of support for the Palestinians under occupation. Standing Together are an acknowledgement of the existence of internal dissent, a crucial part of any genuine path toward peace and justice.

Those of us old enough to remember the 30-year ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland will recall the critical role played by grassroots, cross-border initiatives like the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition. They too were met with scepticism and faced pressure from hard-line factions who viewed any collaboration as a betrayal. Yet, the trust and mutual understanding they fostered laid the groundwork for the Good Friday Agreement.

The Greens, more than any other political force, are living proof of the power of community engagement and dialogue. We need to be working with those inside and outside of Israel who want peace. The Standing Together movement is not the enemy. They have called out Netanyahu’s extremist government at every opportunity. If the Greens ban Abed from speaking, no one will be happier than Israel’s Prime Minister.

Judge for yourself:

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