Mark Best, Socialist Party national committee
After months of bombardment by the Israeli military, inconceivable death and destruction, and now famine and starvation, the people of Gaza are facing another bloody escalation by Benjamin Netanyahu’s regime.
Television screens have been filled with the harrowing reality of life in the Gaza Strip. Children starving, people shot queuing for food, and buildings that were once homes reduced to rubble.
Now Netanyahu is planning the next stage, occupying Gaza City. One million people face being forced into tent camps in the south of the strip. And thousands more will die from a lack of food, water and medical supplies, or be killed by the Israeli military.
The brutal occupation and military assaults by the Israeli state wouldn’t be able to continue without the backing of western capitalist countries. Countries including the US and Britain continue to supply arms and trade with Israel, to maintain bosses’ profits and to keep the state as a bulwark for their interests in the Middle East. And despite recent proclamations that a Palestinian state may be recognised, like Keir Starmer threatened to try and restrain Netanyahu’s regime, in actions instead of words the war and occupation is still supported. This reflected too the anger he faces.
Israeli state’s biggest backer
The Israeli state’s biggest backer – Donald Trump – hasn’t even gone this far. He has hit back with words and increased tariffs at states that have criticised the Israeli state’s actions such as Canada. He joined in with the bombing of Iran, pushing the region closer to more widespread war, which would have devastating effects on the working class and poor that live there.
Across the world, people are sick of a system in which bosses’ profits are prioritised over lives and livelihoods. And angry at the politicians that defend the interests of the bosses and maintain the capitalist system which means war and starvation is inevitable.
Starmer, in a desperate attempt to keep on Trump’s good side and protect British businesses from the worst of Trump’s tariffs, is rolling out the red carpet again. Trump is coming to Britain for an unprecedented second state visit, touching down on the 17 September.
For young people and students, many of whom will have marched over the last year and a half against the war on Gaza, what better way to show opposition to war and the capitalist system that causes it than walking out against Trump when he visits?
If you want to organise a walkout in your school, college or university to stand up to Trump, Starmer and the system they represent, then get in touch with Socialist Students. Click here to see how you can get involved and get organised now to fight back against war, the capitalist system and for a socialist alternative to continued destruction.
