GABRIELA calls for end of violence in Palestine in One Billion Rising 2024 launch

National women’s group GABRIELA on Saturday launched One Billion Rising 2024 in the Philippines at the Plaza Sta. Cruz grounds, dedicated to the "Rise for Freedom" and protesting against Israeli actions against Palestinian civilians in the current Israel-Hamas war..

“Every minute, women around the globe experience various forms of violence. Today, the center of the most horrific crimes against women and their children is none other than Palestine, with Palestinian women and children constituting 70% of the 11,000+ deaths from US-backed Israel’s bombings. We dedicate the launching of OBR Philippines 2024 to them, and to the leagues of women worldwide yearning for freedom,” said GABRIELA Secretary-General Clarice Palce.

With the theme “Rise for Freedom”, the launch featured prominent figures with a centerpiece of toy cubes with Palestinian flags, Palestinian resistance artwork, flash mob dances, and Palestinian community performances in support of Palestine.

“We women stand up against the endless wars and crises brought on by imperialist countries like the United States who lend neither mercy nor conscience towards the countless women and peoples victimized and brutalized under the heedless drive for oil, land, and profit. Today, we Filipinos link arms with the women of the world; together, we declare that another, better, brighter world is possible, and we will rise to achieve it,” added Palce.

One Billion Rising is an annual global mass action that began in 2012 that calls for an end to violence against women with themes on current events.

In a statement, the Israeli Embassy called on Gabriela to be "unbiased and address the harrowing ordeals faced by Israeli women and children in the hands of the Hamas."

"As we commemorate World Children's Day on November 20, it is essential to recognize the immense trauma suffered by children in Israel due to the October 7 attack. Some of these children have been left orphaned, and currently, 9 children remain abducted in Gaza, with the youngest being just 10 months old," the embassy said.

It stressed that Hamas is a recognized terror organization by many countries, including the United States and the European Union.

"It is crucial to emphasize that Hamas is recognized as Israel's enemy, not the Palestinian people," it said.— DVM, GMA Integrated News