Beyond Political Illusions: What This Moment Demands of Us

Photo: Bethlehem View from Aida Refugee Camp – Apr 2025 – S Jack

As the first month of 2026 comes to an end, it is clear that we have entered the era where the law of the jungle prevails thus replacing any semblance of international law observance. In the Middle East, Trump is brandishing his power with his newly launched Board of Peace that will entrench colonial rule, wrecking a just peace in Palestine, and he is threatening to strike Iran, an action that could destabilize the entire region. These developments along with Israel’s genocide in Gaza that has spread into the West Bank provide the backdrop to the information featured in this newsletter.

On 22^nd January, Jeff Halper, ICAHD’s Director, participated in a webinar moderated by Sami Awad, Co-Director of Nonviolence International, themed "Beyond Political Illusions: What This Moment Demands of Us." It responded to the current reality of genocide, escalating violence, and deepening impunity across Palestine. Also speaking were Jonathan Kuttab, Palestinian American lawyer, Director of Friends of Sabeel North America, and Huwaida Arrar, Palestinian American lawyer, Co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement.

With Zionism’s 130-year campaign to turn Arab Palestine into Jewish Israel, which is almost complete, the questions raised in the webinar were not only pertinent but urgent. ICAHD’s vision is clear with our commitment to decolonizing Israel and with the call for a political program for achieving it. But where is the strategy to end this tomorrow? Palestinians, anti-colonial Israeli Jewish comrades and internationals involved in the struggle for Palestine’s liberation must respond.

Therefore, it is imperative that internationals continue to lobby their political representatives. Within the UK we must write to our MPs now as a matter or urgency. On Thursday 5th February there will be a backbench debate entitled “That this House has considered the obligation to assess the risk of genocide under international law in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territories”. Ask your MP to attend the debate prepared to represent your views. Use our sample letters and information found on ICAHD’s website and Facebook pages which depict the horror of this genocide.

Watch this webinar entitled Beyond Political Illusions: What This Moment Demands of Us with Jonathan Kuttab, Huwaida Arrar & Jeff Halper, moderated by Sami Awad of Non-violence International.

View our webinar with Awad recorded on 22^nd January, directly after his participation in the largest demonstration of Palestinian Israelis in the Galilee.

National March for Palestine – London Saturday, 31^st January 2026 End the Genocide, Hands off Gaza, Stop Arming Israel March with ICAHD UK as it assembles with the Jewish Bloc - 12 noon Meet at the Southwest corner of Russell Square WC1B 4JP as we then proceed to Whitehall for the speeches

Continue Writing to Your Political Representatives – use our sample lobby letters

Understand & use our resource on Normalization & 2-State Apartheid

Palestinians need our solidarity now.

Register here

Militarism at Home and Abroad – This is a series of 3 webinars in February about US Domestic and Foreign Policy and its Implications in the Middle East. Featuring Matt Duss, Josh Paul & Josh Ruebner. Sponsored by ICAHD USA and the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace. For information & to register .

Dates for your Diary

Saturday, 31^st January – National Demonstration for Palestine, noon, central London

From all at ICAHD UK. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-Committee-Against-House-Demolitions-UK/366423593418140 Facebook https://www.twitter.com/ICAHDUK/ Twitter http://instagram.com/icahduk Instagram http://icahduk.org Website mailto:info@icahduk.org Email