Indigenous Solidarity with Palestine

by Dominic Guerrera

Art by Malia Osorio

I find it hard to write words of self reflection, to ponder what lessons I have learned from the past year. Is it really my place to learn a lesson from this ongoing genocide of Palestinian people?

Many of the lessons people are learning are not new to me, for many this moment has been a realisation that their governments are not just corrupt, but also complicit in the evils of the world, that their media is bias and that the people around them will turn their backs on a genocide being live streamed on their social media. As an Aboriginal person living in so-called australia, these truths have been a reality for me and my people for decades and nor am I shocked to learn of the ignorance of so many others. 

I guess I could write about the amazing group of allies I have been lucky enough to connect with, sitting in circles, sipping peppermint tea and plotting our next action, awareness, education or fundraising. But the truth is, the group would hate for me to even be thinking about acknowledging them for the work they are doing. But I am fortunate to have them in my life nonetheless. 

I could write about the Palestinian people in my life, who I knew before and have met since October 2023. But how much more do they need to be put under the gaze of other another writer’s pen. An irrevocable ripple has already ripped through their lives, their experiences like the Palestinians currently in Palestine are not for me to ‘learn’ from, nor is it my place to write about.

Why pause to reflect, just because its been a year since October 2023? Where do Palestinians have the privilege to pause and reflect, and even if they do find a moment to reflect, what gives us permission to put down our banners to take that time for ourselves and our opinions on something that we shouldn’t be centred in. The assault from israel is only increasing for Palestinians, Lebanese and other Arab nations who defy zionism’s colonisation. Now is not the time for reflection, but for more action, more than ever before. 

No, you will not get my reflections as I do not have time or audacity to do so. Instead I urge you to continue to engage with your local Palestinian community, continue to listen to Palestinian people, take direct action within your part of the world and finally, and like my Lebanese friend Adam says ‘be staunch or fuck off’.

Dominic Guerrera is a Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna poet, community organiser, artist and curator. His work has published widely and is currently the First Nations Editor at Cordite Review. Dominic’s work focuses on the cultural and lived experiences of Aboriginal peoples and political