The People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty joins the global commemoration of today’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

PCFS lauds the Palestinian people for their unrelenting resistance against the Zionist occupation, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the continuing attacks, bombings, and forced evictions, they have carried on with their militant struggle on-ground and online – notwithstanding Facebook’s censorship, which we call out – for their liberation.

We remember the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives in the struggle and the political prisoners who are fighting for their freedom even behind bars, especially Alaa Al-Araj, Hisham Abu Huwash, Ayyad Al- Hraimi, and Luay Al-Ashkar who currently are on hunger strike. PCFS calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Palestinian political prisoners.

The Coalition reiterates our support for the Palestinian cause: the demand to free Palestine from Israel’s apartheid. With food systems and climate change is highlighted in global conversations, the greater reason there is for Israel to leave Palestine. On top of the impacts of neoliberal policies and climate crisis on our food systems and agriculture, the occupation has made the already vulnerable lives of the Palestinian people even more precarious.

PCFS continues to condemn Israel and demand its accountability for the war crimes and inhumanity that it inflicted against the Palestinian people. We also denounce the exploitation of the COVID-19 pandemic to further subjugate the Palestinian people and grab of Palestinian territories – most recent of which is the planned expansion of Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries for 6,000 illegal settlers.

We echo the call to boycott this year’s Miss Universe pageant, as no glitz and glam from Israel’s hosting can gloss over its atrocities. We commend the South Africa government for taking the stand, as well as beauty queen Rafaela Plastira from Greece regardless of whoever is her country’s official representation in the pageant.

All these being said, let our global clamor be heard: From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free! Stand with Palestine! ###