Although it is not easy to measure the effectiveness of solidarity, it is quite easily understood that we will not achieve minimum effective solidarity if we simply show solidarity with the Palestinian people in the face of what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank and ask for the rejection and cessation of the Zionist massacre. All this being necessary, it is not enough. From Euskal Herria, we are not going to stop the massacre in Gaza or resolve the historical conflict that existed before the creation of the Zionist state. It's not our role. Even less when we have not yet managed to exercise the right of self-determination as a people. But we can contribute to the liberation struggle of other peoples (it is our duty).

This struggle includes the birth of the Palestinian State, the return of refugees and the demolition of this supremacist madness of the Zionist State; a project and a colonialist and racist structure that both denies and destroys and expels its inhabitants. The solution of both states is not possible when one of them aims at the ethnic cleansing of the Arab population from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River (and far beyond). Following the formalisation of the Palestinian division by the UN in 1947, the constant violent reduction of a limited and recognized territory to the Palestinian population is obvious proof.

Three decades after the Oslo Treaty, the West Bank is a disjointed mixture of walled bantustans and the largest open-air prison in the world of Gaza. Over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in these three decades. And the amount is increasing ... The Zionist project (not to be confused with Judaism; malicious bewilderment and victim interested in distributing the diplomas of "anti-Semitic") leads to the destruction of the other, hatred of the Arab and, what is not now, the conversion of the Arabs into "savages". They have checked it completely and continue to check. Destruction of the other, including the pre-post, including UN personnel and humanitarian organizations. The alleged solution of both states is unrealistic. At best, the conflict would only extend for decades. That is why dialogue with Zionism is also an illusion. Can you talk to fascism? The question adds to that. The hatred and pride of the Zionist State are on fire and is applauded and embraced by many governments in the United States and Europe, and the attitude of many other governments in the world is very cowardly. The powerful tentacles of Zionism go far beyond the Mediterranean and Jordan.

From Euskal Herria we are not going to save the Palestinian people, nor are we going to solve this conflict, but if we limit ourselves to solidarity demonstrations, and if we do not go through the demands of paralysing the massacre by streaming, of access to humanitarian aid and of opening up to dialogue, in the face of the cruelty and the manipulative media account of the aggressor, our anger will be useful, but it will remain in that. We will bring together 1,000 people, or 10,000, or 100,000, but after the mobilization (and the traditional poet after the demonstration) the practical consequences will be scarce. We can paint on the face the Palestinian flag, show the signs that match Netanyahu with Hitler and, for our message to be heard in Palestine, we can scream louder than louder. But it will be of little value as long as we maintain political, diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with the Zionist organisation. It draws attention to the comparison between the punitive measures against Russia taken in the short term in the wake of the war in Ukraine and the lack of measures against the Zionist State by so-called western governments. If measures have been taken, Gaza and its inhabitants have helped to turn them into ashes.

Collaboration with the Made in Euskadi Zionism is not new in many areas (see El Salton The relationship between the Basque Government and Israel: 40 years of understanding, by Ahoztar Zelaieta). At this very moment, when Zionism removes all the cruelty against millions of Palestinians, CAF continues to build trams to maintain the colonization of Jerusalem, Made in Israel products are sold (and bought) in local establishments and several Basque companies do business with Israeli companies and entities (the Plan for Industrial Development and Internationalization of the Basque Government 2021-2024 takes as a priority). In February Baskonia will kindly welcome the Maccabi in Tel Aviv and the pavilion will be filled (let us not confuse politics and sport...! ), and probably some artist who justifies the Zionist apartheid regime will participate in an event in the Basque Country. Is it not striking to ignore all this in some demonstrations taking place in our streets these weeks, in the speeches of parties, trade unions and various institutions? How many messages have we heard to break all relations with the Zionist state and punish those responsible for the current massacre operation? They have been relatively few.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign was launched in 2005. Driven by 173 Palestinian organizations, the BDS is the main instrument that the Palestinian people themselves put in the hands of solidarity movements in favour of its cause. Many solidarity, cultural, school and sports organisations, trade unions, universities and individuals are driving the campaign around the world, aware of the need to break all relations with the Zionist State and to put an end to the image of the modern and democratic state. International isolation and the subsequent fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa are its main references. In Euskal Herria, the BDS platform, through this campaign, allows us to make our solidarity more effective. We are faced with certain contradictions that have to be faced. Betting on Palestine, but looking elsewhere in cooperation with Basque Zionism is not a solution. A part of Basque solidarity with Palestine may come out of its comfort area... Palestine asks us.

Iñaki Etaio, Liberation Militant