How to Help the Palestinian Cause

Thank you for your interest in helping the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian people have been dispossessed for 59 years (and counting), the majority of them now refugees. With today's escalating Israeli war crimes against the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, your support is vital. The way we see it, there are 5 components of doing effective activist work:

1. Spreading awareness about the Palestinian issue: One of the principal reasons that Israel is able to get away with its crimes against the Palestinian people is simply because most of the world is unaware of what is happening. Israel's propaganda machine has effectively influenced perceptions of the conflict, and many people believe that Israel is simply "defending itself." It is crucial to understand the realities of the situation and share them with as many people as possible. And this is the reason the Palestine Online Store was established - to make such materials more widely available. Relevant resources: Electronic Intifada, Palestine Chronicle.

2. Media Lobbying: The media, particularly in the U.S. has taken a decidedly biased position, and is generally touting the Israeli line, enabling Israeli propaganda to continue influencing the public's views. It is important to voice your complaints to the media, by way of writing letters to the editor or op-eds, complaining to readers representatives, talking to the editors, etc. Relevant resources: Palestine Media Watch, If Americans Knew.

3. Political Lobbying: Many governments of the world, contrary to their constituents' wishes, support Israel one way or another. Even European countries, which are seen as having a more balanced position, continue supplying Israel with weapons. In the U.S. ofcourse, its much worse, and it is very important to voice our positions to elected representatives, and let them know that there is strong opposition to their support of Israeli aggression. Relevant resources: U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation, Citizens for Fair Legislation.

4. Humanitarian Assistance: With the Israeli strangulation of the Occupied Territories, unemployment has reached unprecedented levels. And with the increasing home demolitions, thousands of Palestinians have been made homeless. Agriculture, healthcare, education, and virtually every aspect of Palestinian life has been attacked. Children, ofcourse, bear a large brunt of Israeli's attrocities. Please consider making a donation to KinderUSA and/or the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.

5. Display your Solidarity: Wearing a kaffiya or a t-shirt that says "Free Palestine," displaying the Palestinian flag at demonstrations, having bumper stickers on our cars, all help relay the message that there is support for Palestinian rights. This is a clear public signal that can only strengthen our voice, as well as raise the morale of the Palestinian people and of activists working to support these rights.

How to Help the Palestine Online Store

The Palestine Online Store was established with the goal of making informational resources about Palestine more widely available, as well as marketing Palestinian-made products. To be as effective as possible, the store needs greater visibility. There are several ways you can help us with this:

1. Subscribe to our mailing list: Our low-volume mailing list will keep you updated about new products or special offers. And it will remind you to check the Palestine Online Store first whenever you're looking for an item from or about Palestine.

2. Spread the word: Since we don't have funds available for heavy advertising, we depend on you to spread the word. If you have friends who are interested in the Palestinian issue, please make sure to tell them about this site. You may also forward our announcements to your mailing list.

3. If you have a website: Please add a link to the Palestine Online Store! If you would like to add a short description to the link, use this: "The Palestine Online Store seeks to make products from or about Palestine, particularly informational resources, more widely available." If you are able to add a banner, please contact us.

4. Give us your feedback: Your input is always welcome and will help us do a better job. For example, if there's a product that you think we should carry, suggestions are very welcome. If there's something on the site that you don't like, we would appreciate knowing about it. And, ofcourse, if you just love the site, we'd be very happy to hear that too! Just e-mail us at contact@palestineonlinestore.com.

5. Fund new product development: Palestine Online Store is working on developing several new products. However, this is currently on hold due to lack of funds. If you are interested in, and able to, help by fronting some of the development costs, please contact us and we will gladly send you details.