Bearing Witness: An account from inside Occupied Palestine

In this episode, I speak with "Marnie" (pseudonym for security reasons) who recently returned from volunteering in the West Bank with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Marnie shares her firsthand account of providing protective presence and solidarity to Palestinian families in the Jordan Valley. She describes the daily realities of the occupation, from the psychological impact of checkpoints and a constant military presence to the sharp increase in settler violence since October 7th 2023.We explore the incredible steadfastness ("Sumud") and community resilience of Palestinians, the complexities of non-violent resistance, and the crucial role of international solidarity in bearing witness and supporting the struggle for liberation.Key Takeaways:Life in the West Bank is characterised by a constant state of hyper-vigilance due to the omnipresent threat of settler and military violence, which functions as a form of psychological warfare. Since October 7th, Israel has used the focus on Gaza as a distraction to significantly increase violence, harassment, home demolitions, and land displacement in the West Bank. Palestinian resistance is deeply rooted in steadfastness (SUmud) and an incredible sense of community and mutual aid, where survival and liberation are intrinsically linked. The role of international activists is not to lead or instruct, but to be Palestinian-led, offering solidarity, documenting events, and providing a protective presence that may help deter attacks. Episode Highlights:05:29: Marnie describes her initial experiences of the occupation, witnessing militarised checkpoints, the separation wall, and a surreal encounter with a heavily armed young soldier on a public bus. 10:18: An explanation of how Israel is using Gaza as a 'distraction' to intensify attacks, annex land, and displace communities in the West Bank by establishing settlements, outposts, and closed military zones. 24:08: Marnie discusses the concept of Palestinian steadfastness, or Samud, and the powerful resilience and community spirit she witnessed, which stands in stark contrast to the constant psychological pressure of the occupation. 33:40: Marnie explains ISM's core principle of non-violence for internationals, while simultaneously stressing the importance of never telling Palestinians how to conduct their own resistance. Connect with Megan:Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!