Palestinians participate in nationwide strike in opposition to ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza

The 9 days of Israeli attacks have cost 212 lives within Gaza, including 61 children. Another 1,500 Palestinians are reported to have been injured in the strikes

May 18, 2021 by Peoples Dispatch
A massive march was carried out in Ramallah in the West Bank as part of the national strike against Israeli aggression. Photo: Rana Nazzal

A nationwide general strike in opposition to the continued Israeli aggression in Gaza was organized in Palestine on Tuesday, May 18. Palestinians from all occupied territories and within Israel observed a day of action which included a complete shutdown of all activities throughout the day.  

The call for the national strike was given by Palestinians on social media and was later supported by all political parties, civil society groups and unions including Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network and others. The High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, Fatah Central Committee and residents of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights also supported the call.

Several international human and civil rights groups called on people across the globe to join the day of action in solidarity with the Palestinian strike and it has also been supported by Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons.

The strike comes in opposition to the air strikes by Israel inside Gaza which started on May 10 and were continuing till Tuesday morning. At least 212 people including 61 children have been killed and more than 1,500 have been injured so far. Civilian residential areas have been major targets of Israel’s bombing campaign in addition to the basic infrastructure of the region which has left a large number of people without basic amenities like shelter, health and power.

On Monday, May 17 Gaza’s main COVID-19 laboratory stopped functioning due to destruction cause to it by an Israeli air strike which also destroyed an orphanage, a female high school and offices of Palestinian ministry of health. Two Palestinian doctors Ayman Abu Al-Ouf and Moeen al-Aloul along with medical students were killed in similar attack on Sunday.

The strike is also in opposition to Israel’s attempts to evict the residents of Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem and its recent attacks on Al-Aqsa compound in which hundreds of Palestinians were injured.

Strike for Palestine

From Haifa to Jerusalem to Nablus, and many more cities across Historic Palestine, thousands of people were on the streets demanding an end to Israel’s crimes.

In several areas, reports emerged about violence against protests by the Israeli Occupation Forces and police. In Jerusalem, a reporter from Middle East Eye was attacked by Israeli forces while reporting on the strike.

Global solidarity

Rallies in solidarity with Palestinians and against Israeli aggression took place around the world as well.


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