More than two years of watching Israel’s internationally-backed genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and collective punishment against Palestinians has left many of us feeling powerless or unsure what to do. That’s totally understandable — and exactly what the Israeli government and its allies want.
They know the only way they can continue the genocide – and now the likely permanent occupation of Gaza and West Bank – is by keeping the international public passive and divided. So we cannot let these feelings paralyse us. Palestinians are imploring us to stay engaged. It’s not always easy, we know. But there are ways to keep going, based on what we at Bystanders No More have learned along the way.
But before that, here’s what not to do:
First, don’t think of yourself as ‘just’ an individual. We are part of a global movement acting collectively and in solidarity. Find a group or community that feels right for you. Support each other. Keep being curious about how you and your group can have maximum impact.
Second, don’t waste precious time and energy doom-scrolling, despair-posting or arguing online. How much more news do you — or your friends who already agree with you — really need to act? Above all, don’t waste your anger on strangers or, worse, bots and trolls. Be intentional with your energy.
Third, don’t say yes to everything. Be disciplined and realistic. How much time can you give toPalestinian solidarity while maintaining your other commitments? As urgent as everything is, solidarity will be needed for years. Plan for resilience. Set boundaries but also make commitments you are willing to keep, whether that’s a few hours a week or something more ad-hoc.
Six strategies for social impact
There is not one right way to act. What matters is that you do something. Consistently, together, and in ways that fit your life.
Here are six strategies that can make a real difference:
- Engage with & donate to Palestinians
- Use social media wisely
- Align your consumer & investment decisions with your values
- Become an advocate
- Keep protesting
- Keep learning
The action you choose depends on your own situation and your place on the risk spectrum: “very cautious” 😥, “cautious”🤔, “calculated risk taker”💡, “committed” 💪 or “courageous”🔥. Start with something that feels doable (but not too easy) and build from there. Small, steady steps are far more powerful than going all in, burning out and giving up.
If you’re already active in one area, try another. Diversifying your activism through a variety of solidarity actions keeps things fresh and helps you learn new ways to make an impact.
In the next section, you’ll find examples for each strategy, showing what action might suit you depending on where you are on the risk spectrum.
A. Engage with & donate to Palestinians
Why?
Engaging with Palestinians is the most powerful way to understand their reality and to counter their dehumanisation. Even the smallest act of compassion matters. Wearing a small pin or keffiyeh, supporting Palestinian-owned businesses, attending talks and exhibitions, or simply getting to know Palestinians — these are all acts of solidarity that say: we see you, we care.
Donations also make a tangible difference, especially now as Gaza faces ongoing siege and displacement.
How?
“Very cautious” 😥— give to established international NGOs (eg, MSF or Oxfam).
“Cautious” 🤔— donate to registered charities with a specific focus on Palestinians and/ or that have Palestinian/Arab leadership. These include Anera and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) ,Medical Aid for Palestinians, Hope and Play or the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA.
“Calculated risk taker”💡— give directly to people from Gaza via trusted and verified groups (eg, Butterfly Effect Project, Help Fund Gaza, Gaza Champions or Gaza Soup Kitchen).
“Committed” 💪 — go further by forming a personal connection with a Palestinian family, using your professional skills or providing regular financial support.
“Courageous” 🔥— volunteer with direct giving / vetting initiatives such as those above. They urgently need people to verify families and manage donations.
B. Use social media wisely
Why?
Social media can be a powerful tool if used with care. It helps us:
- Support advocates who are courageous and often censored.
- Normalize being anti-genocide when many elites try to normalize atrocities.
- Challenge bystanders by showing what solidarity looks like.
- Show that speaking up doesn’t have to mean being aggressive or unprofessional.
But do remember that simply sharing concern, outrage, or despair isn’t enough for Palestinians. They need us to act!
How?
“Very cautious” 😥— Here are 8 ways you can quietly support posts !
“Cautious” 🤔— like or reshare posts from credible experts (eg, UNICEF’s James Elder and the former head of Human Rights Watch, Ken Roth). Be curious about who they follow.
“Calculated risk taker” 💡— Avoid LinkedIn if you are worried about career risk and engage instead on Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube. You can always use an alias if needed.
“Committed” 💪 — comment openly on LinkedIn, and challenge your contacts when they share biased or false information or express anti-Palestinian racism. Tone matters — stay factual and calm. Use these tips on using social media safely and for having constructive conversations in person.
“Courageous” 🔥— challenge high-profile voices spreading disinformation or racism. Don’t expect them to change their minds, but you might impact the bystanders who view these posts. Expect pushback and stay professional. Doing this with 2–3 like-minded activists helps you stay sane and effective!
C. Ensure your consumer and investment decisions align with your values
Why?
Active and sustained boycotts, divestments and sanctions have already had a real impact on several western companies. Moreover, “Israel’s economy is paying a high price for its ongoing occupation and apartheid policies ”.
History shows how this works. The anti-slavery movement gained ground when slavery became an economic burden. Not because elites suddenly cared about the people they enslaved. The same was true of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle. When exploitation becomes costly, power shifts.
Today, economic pressure is influencing major corporations such as Tesla and Disney, which have faced public pushback over business linked to the occupation. In the UK, Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and others have helped stop Pret from opening in Israel and pressured Barclays to close accounts tied to arms sales.
That is why Palestinians across the political spectrum keep saying : “[t]he movement to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel is the most effective way to turn solidarity into impact”.
The fact that pro-Israel lobbyist, especially in Germany and the USA, work so hard to discredit the BDS movement only shows how effective it is. And remember: no one can force you to buy what you don’t want to buy. Quiet, consistent choices, skipping certain products, supporting ethical alternatives, or sharing information, are simple acts that have real impact. Start small. Every choice matters.
How?
“Very cautious” 😥— download the BDS app Boycat and make your purchasing choices privately.
“Cautious” 🤔— join or support targeted boycott campaigns or local BDS groups in your country.
“Calculated risk taker”💡— talk about BDS with your personal contacts. Choose one of the BDS campaigns and channel your energy there.
“Committed” 💪 — promote BDS publicly and explain why it matters.
“Courageous” 🔥 — volunteer with a BDS group. They always need people who can help with research, outreach or public education.
D. Become an advocate
Why?
Our silence is not neutral. When we see injustice and do nothing, our inaction speaks volumes.
A ceasefire is not a solution—it’s just a pause. Palestinians still face blockade, displacement, and daily oppression. They are asking us not to look away.
The very efforts to silence public outcry prove that our voices matter. By acting, we challenge one-sided narratives. We keep justice on the agenda.
Start small, act now: share a verified story, support a targeted campaign, or write to your representative. Every action declares that these policies will not be accepted in our name.
Your voice matters. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
How?
“Very cautious” 😥— sign petitions from trusted organisations (eg, Avaaz, Amnesty, Oxfam).
“Cautious” 🤔— write to your elected representative about their position to occupation, human rights and genocide or to the media about biased coverage. If that feels unsafe where you live, find other ways to express your concern, anonymously or through local allies.
“Calculated risk taker”💡— take a short training ineffective advocacy (eg, Angry & Fearless). This can be really liberating, but also challenging in the best way!
“Committed” 💪 — talk to people in your own circles: relatives, friends, people in your community or workplace. Don’t bother trying to engage with pro-Israeli ideologues — they drain time and energy. Focus instead on those who are open but uncertain.
“Courageous” 🔥 — use your professional skills where they matter: e.g. medics can link up with Health Workers for Palestine or journalists can lobby for press access and safety. Join other activists doing public outreach or media engagement. Speaking face-to-face with the public remains one of the most powerful ways to change minds.
E. Keep protesting
Why?
Peaceful protest remains one of the strongest ways to show collective power. It is our right and it keeps public attention on injustice. People-led protests have often been successful throughout history. In recent months, Italy has shown this again, with mass demonstrations and national strikes demanding justice for Palestine.
Protests also lift our own spirits and those of others who keep speaking up.
A reporter once asked AJ Muste — who stood outside the White House night after night during the Vietnam war — ‘Do you really think you’ll change the policies of this country by standing out here alone at night with a candle?’ ‘He replied: Oh, I don’t do this to change the country. I do this so the country won’t change me.’
And every protest reminds Palestinians that the world still cares.
How?
“Very cautious” 😥— if you can’t join in person, help by promoting protests and sharing information.
“Cautious” 🤔— go with a friend, prepare well and choose well-organised, inclusive demonstrations . Find a sub-group where you feel safe and connected.
“Calculated risk taker”💡, “committed”💪 or “courageous”🔥 — support protests in ways that suit your capacity. You could help with logistics, safety, outreach, or behind-the-scenes coordination through local or national solidarity groups. Check our website for a list of established groups you might like to consider.
F. Keep learning
Why?
Learning is how we unlearn decades of propaganda and bias. It’s also a powerful way to show solidarity with independent journalists and thinkers, especially those who risk their safety to speak the truth.
When we learn together, we build resilience and deeper solidarity.
How?
“Very cautious” 😥— diversify your news feed.Read at least one independent article each week (eg, Al Jazeera, Haaretz, Middle East Eye, Mondoweiss, Palestine Chronicle and Zeteo).
“Cautious” 🤔— financially support one of these independent media platforms and follow citizen journalists from Gaza on social media.
“Calculated risk taker” 💡— join a learning network or a book / film club with a focus on Palestinian solidarity. The film “Israelism” is a great one to start with“Committed” 💪 — host a study or discussion group about books and films about Palestine. Organise a viewing.
“Courageous” 🔥 — gain confidence in how to handle the psychological trauma of watching a genocide so you can stay resilient and help other activists who may be struggling.
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This isn’t a complete list of what you can do. Everyone’s situation is different. Think about what Palestinians need, and what skills, resources, or networks you can offer. Where those meet is where your impact will be strongest – that’s where you can make a real difference.
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Note
A ceasefire does not mean the genocide is over. When blockade, displacement, starvation and apartheid continue – in Gaza and the West Bank – the destruction has not stopped, it has changed form. Under international law, creating conditions that make life impossible is also genocide. Until Palestinians can live in safety, freedom and self-determination, the term remains necessary.