Anti-Hamas Protests in Gaza Continue Amid Silence from "Pro-Palestine" Voices
Palestinian activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib calls out Western 'pro-Palestine' protesters for their lack of support for Gazans demanding peace and an end to the war
For the second consecutive day, Palestinians in Gaza have protested against Hamas, calling for the group's removal from power and condemning them as “terrorists.”
Despite the growing demonstrations, a notable silence has emerged from Western "pro-Palestine" voices, who typically amplify Palestinian grievances but have refrained from voicing support for these protests. Demonstrators have chanted slogans such as "Hamas are terrorists," "Hamas get out, Al-Jazeera get out," and "People want Hamas to leave," while activists and local leaders have voiced their frustration with the lack of international attention to their calls for regime change.
Support from Gaza Clan Leaders
Leaders of prominent Gazan clans, from both the northern and southern regions, have expressed support for the protests, condemning Hamas for "gambling with Palestinian lives." In their statements, they have emphasized that Hamas' actions during recent escalations have put the safety and future of Gaza’s residents at risk. Their frustration with Hamas’ rule highlights the growing dissatisfaction within the population, with many realizing that the group continuing to hold Israeli hostages prolongs the war.
The Lacking Response from "Pro-Palestine" Voices
While many Palestinians are risking their safety to speak out against Hamas, a notable silence has emerged from prominent Western "pro-Palestine" voices. These voices, who often vocalize their opposition to Israeli policies, have failed to publicly support Palestinians in Gaza protesting against Hamas. The silence has raised questions about the selective nature of advocacy, especially when it involves criticism of Palestinian leadership rather than Israel. The lack of attention to these internal protests contrasts sharply with the amplified support for anti-Israel protests, suggesting a double standard in how Palestinian voices are treated depending on their target.
Palestinian activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib commented in a post, "I haven't seen a single Western 'pro-Palestine' protester show the slightest interest, empathy, compassion, or support for tens of thousands of Gazans protesting for peace, dignity, the end of the war & against Hamas; maybe they don't want their beloved 'resistance' group to fall."
Similarly, Palestinian activist Hamza Howidy pointed out the discrepancy in coverage. He posted, "Not only did Al Jazeera not report our people's demands, protests, and how they risked their lives for it, but they are now attempting to shift the narrative and the protestors' demands, just like they did with the 'We Want to Live' protests in 2019, desperately trying to hide the reality about Gaza, that we're done with Hamas and we no longer want them to rule us or for this war to continue." Now protesting Palestinians are also calling to get rid of Al-Jazeera.
Joe Truzman, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), noted that Hezbollah’s central media channel frequently reports on protests within Israel but has completely ignored the protests in Gaza against Hamas. "I thought Hezbollah supported Palestinians," Truzman quipped.
Growing Frustration in Gaza
The ongoing silence from international voices has left many in Gaza feeling increasingly frustrated. Palestinians in the region are questioning why their calls for change, particularly those aimed at removing Hamas from power, have been met with silence.
As the protests continue into their second day, the demand for Hamas’ removal grows stronger. However, the international community’s reluctance to engage with these internal Palestinian struggles raises concerns about whether these voices will ever receive the support they seek.
Of course the usual suspects in the West will not support this. They have never had an independent thought about any of this. They will their marching orders from hamas