Final Monday, I used to be out on the street attempting to catch an web sign in Nuseirat, within the central Gaza Strip – one thing that has turn out to be virtually not possible in Gaza. Our residence had simply been bombed for the third time in the course of the struggle, and we had been pressured to flee for the tenth time. I had simply misplaced every thing as soon as once more.
My coronary heart was heavy with grief, and every thing round me jogged my memory of the loss that had befallen us.
Once I lastly managed to attach, movies, photographs, and audio messages from Italy flooded my cellphone. I noticed crowds of individuals marching within the streets, waving Palestinian flags and chanting collectively for our freedom. I noticed squares full of banners studying “Cease the Struggle” and “Free Palestine”, and faces exhibiting a mixture of anger and hope. They have been attempting to ship us a message: We hear you, we stand with you.
I felt immense pleasure.
It was the primary time I noticed pro-Palestinian protests on such a scale and influence. Impartial Italian unions had known as a 24-hour strike, and Italians had responded en masse. Throughout greater than 70 Italian municipalities, folks took to the streets to point out us that they cared about Gaza, that they supported our trigger, that they wished a direct finish to the genocide.
This was not a Muslim or Arab-majority nation. It was a Western nation, whose authorities refuses to recognise a Palestinian state and continues to assist Israel. And but, the Italian folks walked out for us, to specific their solidarity with us.
This mobilisation reveals that solidarity with Palestinians will not be restricted to these near us or from the identical cultural background, however extends to folks from the world over, even in locations the place political elites proceed to assist Israel.
In Gaza, these scenes of Italian solidarity unfold from cellphone to cellphone, bringing a ray of hope amid the rubble, starvation, and bombs. Individuals have been forwarding these movies on chat apps, watching with amazement the Italian crowds. These photos and pictures introduced uncommon smiles to many Palestinian faces. The sensation that we aren’t utterly deserted, that the skin world is mobilising to cease the struggle, crept in.
Over the previous week, I’ve additionally been following carefully the Sumud Flotilla that’s heading in direction of Gaza. The Italian authorities put immense pressure on the delegation of fifty Italian residents to surrender. The vast majority of them refused and are actually on board numerous ships heading in direction of us.
I used to be additionally in a position to talk with some Italian journalists on board the ship, who shared with me phrases filled with encouragement and hope, assuring us that we aren’t alone and that there are these persevering with to combat for us, regardless of the distances and challenges.
The protests and the flotilla haven’t been the one ray of hope from Italy that has reached me. In June, after studying a few of my articles, two Italians – Pietro and Sara – and Fadi, a Palestinian dwelling in Italy, reached out to me.
Their assist was not restricted to phrases; it was tangible. They helped me share my writings so they may attain extra folks. In addition they consistently checked on me, asking about me and my household, and sending me messages filled with hope and encouragement.
In August, with the assistance of my pals, I managed to publish my personal story within the Italian newspaper Il Manifesto, sharing our struggling and resilience with hundreds of readers.
Earlier than the struggle, I didn’t know a lot about Italy. I knew it was a wonderful nation with an fascinating historical past and pleasant folks. However I by no means anticipated to see Italians mobilising for Palestine, taking to the streets in giant numbers in our assist.
Immediately, I really feel admiration and appreciation for the Italian folks. Their participation in protests, their private assist, and their function in initiatives just like the Sumud Flotilla have actually made me really feel that our trigger will not be distant from the hearts of individuals around the globe, that worldwide solidarity is not only phrases, however actual actions.
I hope to see related protests in different nations, to really feel that the remainder of the world actually sees our struggling and helps our proper to life, freedom and dignity.
To the Italian folks – and all others who mobilise for Gaza, I wish to say: We see you, we hear you, you fill our hearts with pleasure.
The views expressed on this article are the creator’s personal and don’t essentially mirror Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
