Palestinian factions call general strike to protest Israel’s war on Gaza

Occupied territories and diaspora urged to join strike against civilian massacres in Gaza.

Shopkeepers keep their shutters closed during a strike organized by Palestinians in protest of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, on April 7, 2025, in Bethlehem, West Bank. Photo by Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Palestinian factions have announced a general strike set for Monday, intensifying public pressure on Israel to end its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip. In a joint statement released on Sunday, April 6, the groups declared that the strike is intended to denounce the escalating violence, civilian massacres, and the continued displacement of Palestinians amid Israel’s military campaign. With the Palestinian factions calling a general strike to protest Israel’s war on Gaza, the message is loud and clear: the people demand an immediate halt to what they call a genocidal war.

The factions are urging all Palestinians—those living in the occupied West Bank, in refugee camps abroad, and their allies worldwide—to participate in the strike as a show of resistance and solidarity. The organizers emphasized that the action aims to highlight the suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly the women and children who continue to bear the brunt of Israel’s military operations.

A united call for justice

The strike is more than just a pause in daily activities—it is a symbolic and political stance meant to amplify the voices of Gaza’s victims. “This general strike is a cry for the international community to take real action,” said the joint statement. “It is time to stop the massacres, stop the displacement, and hold the Zionist occupation accountable for its crimes.”

Since October 2023, nearly 50,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, the majority of them women and children, according to local health authorities. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. Medical infrastructure is on the brink of collapse. Electricity and clean water are scarce. The humanitarian situation has been described by international agencies as catastrophic.

The general strike serves as a means to remind the world of these dire realities. Organizers hope that the widespread participation of Palestinians and their supporters will reignite global attention, which they argue has waned despite the ever-growing death toll.

The goals of the general strike

According to the factions, the strike is designed to achieve several key objectives. First and foremost, it is meant to protest what they describe as the genocidal war on Gaza. The groups accuse the Israeli military of targeting civilians and infrastructure in an effort to depopulate the region and forcibly displace its inhabitants.

Secondly, the strike is aimed at drawing attention to what the factions view as the international community’s failure to impose sanctions or accountability measures on Israel. They argue that despite overwhelming evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, powerful nations have largely shielded Israel from consequences.

Third, the strike seeks to pressure international bodies—including the United Nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)—to intensify legal action against Israeli leaders and military officials.

Legal cases mount against Israeli leadership

International outrage over the Gaza war has grown, especially in legal and human rights circles. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. These include the deliberate targeting of civilians, use of banned munitions, and blockade policies that amount to collective punishment.

In addition, Israel faces a separate case at the International Court of Justice, where it stands accused of committing genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza. South Africa, which filed the complaint, has led efforts to have provisional measures imposed to stop the military campaign and ensure humanitarian access.

While Israel has rejected both legal cases as politically motivated and biased, human rights organizations have continued to document a range of violations. The general strike is intended to reinforce the urgency of these proceedings and the need for enforceable international law.

Netanyahu vows more strikes amid rising global condemnation

Adding fuel to the fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently declared that military operations in Gaza would intensify. His statement came amid reports of renewed attempts to implement U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to relocate Palestinians and reconfigure Gaza’s political landscape.

Palestinian factions have condemned these moves as further evidence of Israel’s intention to ethnically cleanse the enclave. “This is not just a war—it is a systematic plan to remove us from our land,” one spokesperson said.

Israel, on the other hand, claims its actions are aimed at dismantling Hamas and other militant groups responsible for the October 7 attacks. Israeli officials argue that military strikes are necessary for national security, though critics say the scale and intensity of the attacks far exceed the bounds of self-defense.

Global solidarity grows—but action lags

While the Palestinian call for a general strike has received moral support from civil society groups and activists worldwide, political action has remained limited. A few governments have voiced concern or called for ceasefires, but no major economic sanctions or diplomatic consequences have been imposed on Israel by its closest allies.

Human rights advocates argue that this inaction has emboldened Israel to continue its military strategy with impunity. “The failure of the international community to act is part of the problem,” said a representative from Human Rights Watch. “When civilians are bombed in broad daylight and no one is held accountable, that sets a dangerous precedent.”

The general strike, then, becomes a crucial grassroots tool to maintain momentum. It allows ordinary people to take a stand when governments refuse to do so.

The power of collective resistance

Historically, general strikes have played a powerful role in resistance movements. In Palestine, they have been used throughout the decades as peaceful tools of protest and civil disobedience. This current strike echoes that tradition, with participants reclaiming their agency in the face of overwhelming violence.

From Ramallah to Beirut, from refugee camps in Jordan to Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, momentum is building for what organizers hope will be a moment of unified resistance. Many businesses, schools, and transportation services are expected to shut down, signaling widespread adherence to the call.

In social media campaigns, the hashtag #StrikeForGaza is already trending, with users posting images, videos, and messages of support from around the world.

A call to conscience

As Monday approaches, the message behind the general strike could not be clearer: the world must wake up. The continued loss of civilian lives, the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, and the displacement of its people cannot be normalized.

By organizing the strike, Palestinian factions are calling attention to the horrors of Israel’s war on Gaza and demanding urgent international action. Whether or not world leaders will respond remains uncertain—but on the ground, Palestinians and their supporters are refusing to remain silent.

This general strike, grounded in pain, resilience, and defiance, aims to send a message that the people of Gaza are not alone—and that their struggle is not forgotten.