EDIT: Leonard Peltier’s life sentence was just commuted as I finished writing this. The gravity of celebrating the release of Leonard and Khalida Jarrar less than 12 hours apart is not lost on me. Alhamdulillah
Something I’ve been thinking about these past few days as a ceasefire was announced and secured is how we quantify our wins. The resistance in Gaza has not only finally achieved a ceasefire after over 471 days of horrendous genocide, but they’ve come through on a very crucial promise - to free the prisoners, 90 of whom were finally released last night. And over a thousand more set to be released in the next month and a half.
This is not to say the work is over by any means. The work of mourning, fighting, surviving, rebuilding and resisting continues. 1 in 50 people in Gaza have been killed. The occupation continues to bomb (continuing to ignore ceasefires both in Gaza and Lebanon). The entire strip completely leveled. So many homes destroyed, families wiped out forever. A close friend said yesterday how hard it is to celebrate knowing that the occupation could (and will likely) arrest just as many prisoners tomorrow. But today we must have hope. Because the people of Gaza have shown the world that when faced with two murderous nuclear powers, billions of dollars and relentless genocide - they remain undefeated. And have accomplished the very goal that started the flood of Al Aqsa
There are approximately 10,000 Palestinian political prisoners and the resistance in Gaza has secured the release of over 1,700 in the first phase of the ceasefire. Thats almost 20%. To put that in perspective that would be 170,000 people freed out of the over one million hostages being held in United States prisons.
Yahya Sinwar, one of the main forces behind Al Aqsa flood was himself released from a life sentence in the 2011 hostage deal. (If you haven’t read his last will and testament I really encourage you to.) Countless revolutionaries continue to resist behind bars both here and in Palestine. I’ve been reading the book Tip of the Spear by Orisanmi Burton and cannot stop thinking about the demands of the Black Radical Movement inside the Prisons in New York in the 70s - those on the outside must be willing to break the law as well. Solidarity without action is meaningless. It is imperative that we understand our role in order to fight for (and win) a future where we are all free. Each prisoner is a political prisoner. The heartbeat of resistance, over one million of them.
I’m thinking about the term hostage and who is allowed to be called a hostage and who’s confinement and dehumanization is justified. Shouldn’t it be more than justified to for example, take one captive (or 11) in order to free a thousand? If that is wrong shouldn’t it be wrong to take any captives in the first place? All this to say. I wish there was a more dedicated and serious armed revolution here. We are so greatly oppressed and turned against each other so that any uprising crumbles before it can actually begin.
I’m thinking about hope as a weapon. Actions that create ripple effects. Showing us what’s possible. What were the material victories of the Black Liberation Army, the American Indian Movement, or the Weatherman? While material gains were definitely achieved short term the more significant effects (in my opinion) is the ability to break through and demand the impossible - show people you can (and must) resist. So they can take the steps for this generation and the next and the next. So many of the resistance fighters are not fighting for themselves but for their children, and their children’s children. How can we move with that longevity? How would it change everything? For the prisoners inside but for their children and their children?
If prisoners are the heart of the resistance in Palestine how can we transform our organizing here so it reflects that same truth, if it doesn’t already? Our prisoners are also hostages. Over a million of them. Subjected to murder, starvation, slavery, forced displacement, disappearance, torture and many other forms of systemic violence. When will enough be enough?
These are just thoughts. Not original but they are still dangerous. Almost terrifying to whisper but they demand to be shouted.