Europe Divided: Public Outcry for Palestine Meets Political Resistance
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Sustained Momentum in the UK
Pro-Palestine demonstrations, particularly in the UK, emerged as a defining feature of the movement to end the violence and hold Israel accountable for its actions. Following the events of October 7,2023,an immediate surge of solidarity saw hundreds of thousands gather within days to express their support for Palestinians. Israel’s ongoing brutality fueled further protests, culminating in over a million people marching through London at the height of the demonstrations. While initial weekly rallies transitioned to biweekly events, maintaining momentum across cities, churches, and communities, their impact was undeniable. Hawwash contrasted this sustained mobilization with the Iraq war protests in London, which he described as “almost a one-off” that failed to effect policy change. “It didn’t make any changes to government policy. But here, because of Israel’s daily brutalities, the situation continued,” he explained. Hawwash emphasized the demonstrations’ ripples through the UK’s political landscape, noting resignations from the Labor Party, including his own, and the rise of independent candidates who placed Palestine at the forefront of their platforms. Former Labour leader Jeremy corbyn was elected to Parliament alongside four other independents, demonstrating a shift in political priorities. While public pressure led to measures like cancelling select military licenses for arms sales to Israel, Hawwash argued that these fell short of a comprehensive embargo. Looking ahead,he stressed the importance of continued pressure on governments to align international law with the resounding public sentiment calling for justice for Palestine. Growing Public Pressure Pushes UK to Re-evaluate its Stance on Israel, Palestine
Amidst rising tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there are mounting calls for a change in the United Kingdom’s foreign policy towards the region. A prominent Palestinian rights advocate,Hawwash, has expressed strong criticism of the UK government’s handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and its reluctance to fully enforce international law regarding Israeli actions. He predicts that upcoming elections in the UK will likely amplify public pressure on the government to adopt a more decisive stance aligned with international law. Hawwash highlighted concerns over the government’s response to pro-Palestinian protests, accusing it of employing heavy-handed tactics to silence dissent. He stated that demonstrators were labelled as “hate marchers” from the start, and authorities are increasingly resorting to anti-terrorism legislation to arrest and charge individuals solely for expressing solidarity with Palestinians. “To the extent that you can put out a post (on social media),” he said. “So, the freedom of speech angle, which cuts across all issues, is being weaponized by the government to say there are limits, but only when it comes to Israel.” Further criticizing the UK’s inaction,Hawwash pointed to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli leaders,accusing the UK of finding excuses to avoid enforcing them. “The UK was never fully committed to arresting Netanyahu if he landed in the country,” he said, “but found ways of saying we respect the court, we have our own processes.” “This is just completely obscene,” he added. Hawwash believes that the tide is turning in Europe,with growing public support for Palestine and a corresponding rise in the perception of Israel as a “pariah,rogue terrorist state.”## Archyde Interview: Europe Divided on Palestine
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde Insights. Today we’re delving into the complex and deeply emotional issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Europe’s response to it. Joining us is dr.Kamel Hawwash, a leading Palestinian academic and analyst. Dr. Hawwash,
thank you for being with us.
**Dr. Hawwash:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** 2024 witnessed a stark division across Europe. we saw massive public demonstrations in support of Palestine, demanding an end to the conflict and holding Israel accountable. Yet,European governments largely maintained their strong backing of Israel. What factors contribute to this disconnect?
**Dr. Hawwash:** It’s a complex issue. While notable popular support for Palestine exists across
Europe, translating that into meaningful political change is proving incredibly difficult.
In my view, a crucial factor is the enduring influence of the United States on European foreign policy.
**host:** You meen the US is influencing European stances on this issue?
**Dr. Hawwash:** Absolutely. The return of President Trump to the White House further compounded
this influence. most European countries claim to have independent foreign policies, but they closely observe US positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
**Host:** How does this influence manifest itself?
**Dr. Hawwash:** Primarily through economic pressure. The US utilizes its economic leverage to influence
European allies, creating a climate of fear. Many European governments are reluctant to take
a strong stance against Israel for fear of US repercussions.
**Host:** Can you provide an example?
**Dr. Hawwash:** Indeed. Statements from prominent Republican lawmakers like Senator Lindsey
Graham threaten sanctions against countries supporting the International Criminal Court’s
decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Such threats send a clear message to European nations.
**Host:** So, you believe the influence of the US is a major obstacle to a more equitable resolution to this conflict?
**Dr. Hawwash:** Unfortunately, yes. I believe the international community, and notably the US,
is enabling Prime Minister Netanyahu to continue his policies. This lack of international
pressure makes a swift resolution highly unlikely. Thankfully, the movement in support of Palestine is
gaining momentum, particularly in
the UK.
**host:** You’ve mentioned the UK. Can you elaborate on this growing movement there?
**Dr. Hawwash:** Following the events of October 7th,2023,there has been a surge of solidarity
with Palestinians in the UK. hundreds of thousands took to the streets in the days following the October violence.
These demonstrations haven’t been a one-time event like the Iraq War protests. This sustained mobilization, with
weekly and bi-weekly rallies across cities and communities, sends a powerful message.
**Host:** So, are you optimistic about the future?
**Dr. Hawwash:** While I acknowledge the challenges, the growing public awareness and mobilization
in Europe offer a glimmer of hope. Public pressure can be a powerful force, and I remain hopeful
that it will eventually lead to a more just and equitable solution for both Palestinians and Israelis.
**Host:** Thank you Dr. Hawwash for sharing your insights with us today. This has been an enlightening discussion.
**End of Interview**
