Version imprimableThe assault on Gaza City is underway. The Israeli army is systematically destroying residential buildings, including iconic towers. Residents are being forced to gather a few belongings and flee within minutes. The aim is to make any return to normal life impossible in a city that is much older than Israel. The rest of the Strip is a giant graveyard. One study estimates that 200,000 people have been killed in Gaza over the past two years, 10% of the population. A massacre. A genocide.
A vain and poisoned recognition
Yet the UN General Assembly has endorsed the Franco-Saudi resolution on ‘recognition of the State of Palestine’, which also calls for an immediate ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. Among the countries that voted against it are, unsurprisingly, the United States, Israel, Argentina and Hungary. Despite appearances, this resolution actually marks a setback for Palestinian rights. It makes no mention of genocide or war crimes and is obviously not binding. Worse still, according to the analysis of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"... thanks to major commitments made by the Palestinian Authority and Arab countries for peace and security for all in the region. This roadmap involves an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages; it involves the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; it involves the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from the governance of Gaza; it involves normalisation between Israel and the Arab countries.
Thus, Israel’s security is systematically invoked, but never that of the Palestinians. The ‘peace process’ depends on commitments made by the Palestinian Authority, not by Israel. The resolution demands the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from the governance of Gaza — in other words, Palestinians are stripped of their right to decide for themselves, and in reality the aim is to prohibit them from any armed resistance. The real purpose of this text lies in the carrot offered to Israel: normalisation with its neighbours.
Amplifying active solidarity
But even this normalisation will probably not be enough to stop Israel, which has shown its ability to be at war with everyone. After decimating part of the Yemeni government, Israel attempted to bomb the Hamas delegation present in Doha for ceasefire negotiations at the request of the United States. Not only does this literally torpedo the process, it is also a military intervention in a major ally of Washington. There is therefore no other prospect in the short term than Israel’s headlong rush forward. Without a balance of power, without sanctions or military intervention against Israel, resolutions will have no impact. Israel, drunk with its impunity, has repeatedly stated that there will never be a Palestinian state.
The only solution is to increase Israel’s political and economic isolation. Active solidarity demonstrations must challenge Israel and its impunity. Mobilisation is having an effect: it contributed to the cancellation of the Vuelta cycling race due to the participation of the Israeli team. This is a breach in normalisation and an example to follow. With dozens of boats and nearly 50 nationalities represented, the flotilla set sail again on 13 September. The incendiary attacks did not dampen their determination. The Global Sumud Flotilla will therefore become a focal point for the solidarity movement. We must be ready to demand that Western governments do not allow a massacre in international waters.
18 September 2025
Translated by International Viewpoint from l’Anticapitaliste.
