Two Northeastern University students share their personal perspective on the Israel-Hamas War as they struggle with the realities of conflict from a far.
Photo Essay
Cambridge, MA: November 19, 2023 – An altar set up by the Muslim Justice League outside the Cambridge home of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on Sunday Nov. 19, 2023, in memory of the Palestinians who lost their lives in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The nonprofit organization arranged a seven hour sit-in including music, art, and teach ins, urging Warren to initiate a ceasefire. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
Boston, MA: November 29th, 2023 – A student waving an anti-war flag alongside a half Palestinian half Lebanese flag, joins college and high school students march to Boston’s City Hall Plaza Wednesday Nov. 29, 2023 for International Day of Solidarity with Palestine. Over 15 student organizations gathered alongside teachers and doctors to share their concerns for the Israel-Hamas War. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
Boston, MA November 19, 2023 – A Boston-based Israeli sits outside the Massachusetts state house Sunday night on Nov. 19, 2023. The IfNotNow American Jews group organized a vigil to call for humanitarian relief and a hostage exchange in Gaza. The group shared personal stories about their experience in synagogue while advocating for an end to U.S. support for Israel. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
The Power of Protests
In a world where social and political landscapes are evolving non-traditional forms of activism are emerging as a powerful movement for change. These contemporary approaches to standard protests in rallies emphasize creativity, social media, and personal narratives with the goal of global change.
On Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas launched multiple attacks on Israel by air, water, and land, killing about 1,200 people according to Israeli officials. Since the initial attack Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, killing over 15,500 people, 70% of which being women and children according to the health ministry in Gaza. Over 2.3 million people in the region have been forced to flee their homes as ground offensives have expanded to the entirety of the Gaza Strip.
In major cities around the world, many have gathered since October to rally in solidarity with Palestinians, calling international organizations and government officials to take action against Israel. In Boston, Massachusetts nonprofit organizations such as the Muslim Justice League, IfNotNow, and student-affiliated groups are actively rallying around the city. Through organized demonstrations, art installations, and educational spaces, efforts are aimed to call attention to human rights issues in Gaza.
Cambridge, MA: November 19, 2023 – A protester holds a small red, white, and green floral arrangement echoing the colors of the Palestinian flag at an all-day sit-in event in Cambridge, Massachusetts Sunday Nov. 19, 2023. The event organized by the Muslim Justice League took place outside the home of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., aimed to call for diplomatic efforts against Israel. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
Cambridge, MA: November 19, 2023 – Advocates for Gaza create a Palestinian flag out of pomegranate seeds, olives, green leaves, rice and black beans on top a keffiyeh scarf, Sunday Nov. 19, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Organized by the Muslim Justice League, the seven-hour sit-in outside the home of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., used art to represent culture, solidarity and hope for Palestine. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
Cambridge, MA: November 19, 2023 – Two Muslim Justice League organizers decorate a banner to be hung outside the residence of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Nov. 19, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The nonprofit organization used artistic methods such as music, painting and crafts to highlight pressing human rights concerns arising from the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
On Sunday Nov. 19, 2023 the Muslim Justice League held an all-day sit-in outside the residence of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. With the help of social media platforms information has become more accessible regarding general knowledge of the conflict and has helped to increase engagement for events around the city.
For Fatema Ahmad, Executive Director of the Muslim Justice League, it’s important to continue showing support for Palestine through new ways besides intense rallies and protests. “No one should be quietly resting on a Sunday while the U.S. supports Israel in its genocide against the Palestinians,” said Ahmad.
The goal of the sit-in was to educate and show peace, while urging Sen. Elizabeth Warren to support a ceasefire against Israel. Many attendees brought markers, paint and poster board to make signs while others gathered to make handcrafted poppy flowers while an organizer talked about the importance of the flower to Palestine. “Warren, Warren, take our calls, we demand a ceasefire now,” chanted the crowd.
Cambridge, MA: November 19, 2023 – The Boston IfNotNow organization gathered for a vigil outside the Massachusetts State House Sunday night, Nov. 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The nationwide organization had gathered around the city since October, 2023 to stand together with Gaza and fight for justice. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
Cambridge, MA: November 19, 2023 – A protester continues to crochet besides their handcrafted banner hung on the fence outside the home of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sunday morning Nov. 19, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The peaceful protest organized by the Muslim Justice league used artful expressions rather than traditional activism to emphasize their personal commitment to the Free Palestine Movement. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
Cambridge, MA: November 19, 2023 – A protester lays handcrafted poppy flowers on top of a flag that reads "ceasefire," in Cambridge, Massachusetts Sunday morning outside the home of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Nov. 19, 2023. The flower often depicted in Palestinian art and literature, symbolizes the bitter bloodshed of war. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
Cambridge, MA: November 19, 2023 – A pomegranate sits atop a synthetic tree wrapped in a keffiyeh scarf outside the residence of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sunday Nov. 19, 2023. A symbol of rich historical and cultural significance of the Gaza region, the fruit has become a representation of fertility and unity of the once shared land of Israel and Palestine all over the world. (Northeastern University/Hannah Escandon)
Students and educators across Boston have also shown their support for Palestine through school walk outs. On Nov. 29, 2023, university and high school students gathered outside of Boston’s City Hall Plaza to listen to teachers, doctors, and students share their concerns for the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“We are united around the need to stop the racism apartheid state of Israel and it’s master, the U.S.,” said Dr. Scott Easton, whose research focuses on social welfare policy and practice in the Middle East. “The Palestinian people must be free.” His inspiration to protest he says, stems from the stories of his own family members who were in the Holocaust.
The solidarity displayed across Boston is a powerful reminder of the collective action all over the world and as voices continued to be amplified through protests, rallies, demonstrations and social media communities have come together to support Palestine from thousands of miles away.