Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine looks beyond the ceasefire

Photos by Mouna Rashid

Hundreds attend a Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine gathering at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee Sunday, Jan. 19, the first day of a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Let the ceasefire be the first step towards the end of Israel’s brutal occupation,” said Janan Najeeb, co-chair of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, on Sunday (Jan. 19), the day a ceasefire began in Gaza. “We commit here to continue to march, to continue to rally, to continue to stand up for the rights of the Palestinian people.”

Despite frigid temperatures, more than 800 people attended Sunday’s event at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee Community Center, 815 West Layton Ave., Milwaukee. Though many expressed happiness about the ceasefire, the gathering was not a celebration.

WCJP, a coalition of 87 Wisconsin-based organizations opposed to U.S. support of Israeli military attacks on unarmed civilians in Gaza, organized the event “to remember the martyrs,” a press release issued Jan. 18 said. Its purpose was “to remember and honor the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian lives lost over the past 15 months,” the press release said, adding, “We will not forget the role our own government played in carrying out the genocide, a legacy that will forever brand President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken.” 

As Najeeb spoke, the names and ages of some of the Palestinian children killed in Gaza in the past 15 months scrolled on screens flanking the stage. The Al Jazeera English video’s list ran for one hour without repetition.

WCJP also pledged “to continue to advocate for an end to the Israeli occupation and brutal apartheid, a comprehensive arms embargo and the liberation of Palestine,” the press release said.

“The ceasefire is only the first step after 15 months of genocide by Israel,” Najeeb continued. “One thing must be very clear—that we refuse, along with the people of Gaza, to go back to what Oct. 6 looked like for the people of Gaza.

“For decades, Israel has been responsible for unspeakable crimes against humanity, for collective punishment and maintaining a sustained open-air prison against the Palestinians, a blockade of the Gaza strip, … relentless daily attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinian towns and cities throughout the West Bank, … and a desecration of holy sites, both Christian and Muslim. Palestinian families have been torn apart. Generations of Palestinians have grown up within violent oppression by the occupying force.

“The ultimate goal is to end the blockade, to end the occupation, to end this brutal apartheid so that Palestinians can live in peace and have full self-determination. Peace can only come about when there is justice, when there is accountability and when there is liberation.”

“We want to make sure there is a free Palestine, completely—full-stop,” said Angela Lang, executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC).

During a candle ceremony that honored Palestinians killed in Gaza, Mustafa Zaibak announced, “I am from Gaza.” Then the young man led singing of both the Palestinian National Anthem and a song for Gaza.

Basseir Husseini recited Surah Al Ahzab, 21-31, and Halima Ghanam provided the English translation. The passage reflected on the example of the Prophet and encourages believers to keep faith and hope even when facing oppressors.

Safa Sarsour, 7, shared her hopes for the children of Gaza, drawing loud applause.

The 2024 Milwaukee Emerging Poet in Practice Tasneem Jassar did a poetry reading “to the martyrs, to the souls lost in the rubble, to my brave Palestinian brothers and sisters. Philistine, I give you this song today because of your resistance, as it is your resistance that taught the world how liberation comes to light.” She then read the poem “Enemy of the Son,” a poem of resistance written in 1970 by beloved Palestinian poet and essayist Samih al-Qasim (1939-2014).

A diverse coalition calls for peace and justice

Representatives of some of WCJP member organizations also spoke at the event, including Angela Lang, executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC); Rev. Jonathan Jacobs of Wisconsin Christians for Justice in Palestine; Liat Meyer of Jewish Voice for Peace; Saad Chishti, a representative of the UWM Muslim Student Association and the UWM for Palestine Coalition; Fauzia Qureshi, executive director of the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance; Othman Atta, director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee; 7-year-old Safa Sarsour; and Alan Chavoya of Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

Julie Enslow, co-founder of Peace Action Wisconsin, greets a child distributing candy at WCJP’s gathering for Gaza.

Many other members of coalition organizations were in the audience, including Rachel Ida Buff, Ph.D., and Jodi Melamed, Ph.D., of Jewish Voice for Peace-Milwaukee;  Julie Enslow, co-founder of Peace Action Wisconsin; and students from the Muslim Student Associations at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, among others.

Here are excerpts from their comments:

Angela Lang, BLOC: “In the last 15 months, we’ve cried, we’ve mourned, we’ve broken bread, we’ve danced, we’ve laughed, we’ve learned and some of us even camped out at UWM and in Madison … It is our organizing and the resilience that give us a little bit of hope today, including … with Uninstructed and Uncommitted voters all across the country. I want to give a special shout-out to Halah and Reema (Ahmad), who worked tirelessly to organize, under tremendous circumstances, in the election. 

“I want to give a big shout-out to all of the students who have held it down at UWM and in Madison! And the allies and the restaurants that fed everyone.

“I am hopeful because the community built over the last 15 months will continue and will remain until we are all free … We want to make sure there is a free Palestine, completely—full-stop.”

“It is our duty to magnify the voices of the oppressed,” said Fauzia Qureshi, executive director of the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance.

Rev. Jonathan Jacobs, Christians for Justice in Palestine: “Twelve months ago, we were able to share a powerful statement we wrote between the three Abrahamic religions. We hope and pray for a lasting peace and that the occupation of Palestine by Israel will cease … The myopic Zionist view of a land that must only belong to a certain people is wrong … Free, free Palestine!”

Liat Meyer, Jewish Voice for Peace: “I stand here as a Jewish person who is part of a vast network of anti-Zionist Jews today, people who do not believe in an ethno-religious state, who do not envision worlds built on murder and erasure … I stand here, recommitted to transforming Jewish fragility into Jewish devotion to Palestinian thriving and collective liberation … 

“We must work together to ensure … that this ceasefire agreement will be a portal to a permanent ceasefire, guaranteed on unrestricted aid and the reconstruction of Gaza, Israel’s withdrawal of its military from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and all occupied lands, and that Israel is held accountable for its crimes against humanity … I stand here as part of Jewish Voice for Peace, committed to boycott, divestment and sanctions, and to stopping U.S. money and arms to Israel.”

Saad Chishti of the UWM Muslim Student Association and the UWM for Palestine Coalition: “The fight for a free Palestine continues. At UWM, students have risen to the occasion … Since Oct. 7, the students have held countless protests, sit-ins, teach-ins and one of the most impactful encampments in the nation. 

“But it did not stop there. A few months ago, Kamala Harris attempted to step foot on UWM’s campus. She quickly found out that genocidal extremists are not welcomed there …

“These efforts have not come without sacrifice. Students have faced countless disciplinary investigations, temporary suspensions, academic probations, student organization suspensions and even death threats for their activism. These suspensions and threats are ongoing as we speak. Despite these challenges, we remain unshaken … but we need the community to continue to stand with us, amplify our voices and protect us as we push forward with our pursuit of justice.”

Fauzia Qureshi, Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance: “The ceasefire might offer a moment of pause, but we know liberation is the goal … At WMCA, … it is our duty to magnify the voices of the oppressed and stand in unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people … Let us continue to educate ourselves and others about Palestine—its history, its struggles and the resilience of its people. Through awareness and understanding, we can challenge harmful narratives and keep the truth alive.”

Janan Najeeb, co-chair of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, declared, “We refuse, along with the people of Gaza, to go back to what Oct. 6 looked like for the people of Gaza.”

Othman Atta, Islamic Society of Milwaukee: “What are the things we need to remind ourselves about? First, Israel and its supporters … demonstrated they are an evil, occupying, supremacist regime … which does not recognize the basic rights of the Palestinians … We also learned that most Jewish institutions in this country embraced, enabled, funded and cheered on Israel’s war of extermination, as did many Zionist Christians, as well as the elected leaders of our country, who demonstrated that they are bought and paid for by the pro-Israeli lobby. We learned that although there are many principled, honest, moral individuals associated with international institutions like the United Nations, we learned once again these institutions are tools of western governments … governments that have a history of imperialism and colonialism … They also demonstrated that international human rights laws only apply when it is convenient for them. We learned again the unelected dictators of the Middle East will always serve their western masters and not their own people … 

“We learned the real anti-Semitism … is the targeted, doxing, attacking, ostracizing of the great anti-Zionist Jews who rightly choose not to worship Israel and who reject any association of Israel with their Jewish creed. We support them … including Jewish Voice for Peace, Not in Our Name, and many others. We honor them. They are our brothers and sisters in humanity.

“Our responsibilities begin now. We must up our game. We must all become activists. We must all expose Israel for what they have demonstrated to the world.”

Safa Sarsour, 7, Islamic Society of Milwaukee: “I would like to say, ‘Peace and blessings be upon you. Peace and blessings be upon everyone who has stood for Palestine and Gaza. Peace and blessings be upon the children of Gaza who went through 470 days of horrible things done by Israel. 

“Most of Gaza’s population are children. These children are just like us. They go to school, play with their friends and have a dream … Many children in Gaza have lost their homes … they live in fear every day. 

“Even though their days are hard, these children are strong and resilient. They have taught me the true meaning of being Palestinian and they deserve peace and safety just like we do. They should be able to play and grow up in a world where there is no fear. Every one of them matters … Let’s all pray for a future where every child, no matter where they live, can be happy and safe … The children of Gaza will rise from the ashes and reclaim their land. Free Palestine!”

Alan Chavoya, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression: “Viva, viva Palestina! That’s right everyone! We must recognize this ceasefire as an achievement. The people of Palestine have earned this achievement. The brave people of Palestine stood up to a vicious monster, fueled by the wealthiest country in the world, with the most advanced technology and military equipment. The Palestinian people have not gone anywhere and they are still standing tall … They are going to liberate themselves and build a Palestine in their image. 

“Over 46,000 dead and likely more than 200,000 if you take into account starvation and the freezing conditions these people are in. We honor those martyrs and will forever hold them in our hearts, and everyone who has passed away since 1948 due to the Israeli occupation.

“The people who today stood up in the rubble … we should continue to stand firm with them … We should continue to stand with them until Palestine is free!”

Throughout the event, screens displayed Al Jazeera English’s list of names and ages of children killed in Gaza in the past 15 months. The list runs for one hour without repetition.