The Ceasefire in Gaza: Relief, Fear, and Uncertainty
A statement from the National Executive Committee of Liberation Road
Liberation Road greets the news of the ceasefire between the Israeli government and Hamas with relief and trepidation. Anything that can bring a halt to the Israeli war machine—backed to the hilt by the US government—is welcomed. We hope this fragile peace will lead to a lasting cessation of carnage, the return of hostages held in Israel and Gaza to their families, and a chance for Palestinians to return to their homes, despite the near-total destruction of all parts of Gaza.
At the same time, the cessation of hostilities does not remove the crime of genocide of the Netanyahu government, nor excuse the unconscionable support of the Biden administration, the incoming Trump administration, and most of the US Congress. As expected, President-elect Donald Trump is claiming that his threats and demands are what brought about this ceasefire. We refuse to grant either the incoming or the outgoing American administration credit for the cessation of a genocide in which they have been and remain complicit.
Currently our greatest concern is the need for a permanent ceasefire, the rebuilding of Gaza, the expulsion of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops, the blocking of the Abraham Accords, and the advancement of the Palestinian freedom struggle. This means the work of supporting the Palestinian movement is far from over. Already there is much speculation in Palestine and Israel that this situation may prove to be like November 2023, when a temporary ceasefire did not last and the IDF renewed their attacks with even greater violence. To ensure this fragile truce continues and deepens towards a just and lasting peace, we must continue to stand with the Palestinian people, push for a permanent ceasefire, and demand that the United States cease all military, financial, and logistical support for Israeli genocide, apartheid, and occupation.
By aligning ourselves with the Palestinian people we do not promote an alignment with any particular group, nor believe that we in the US should dictate the political direction of the Palestinian movement. But we absolutely have a role in supporting the struggle for full Palestinian self-determination, within and beyond Gaza, and for a just peace between and among the peoples in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
The struggle for Palestinian freedom and self-determination continues, and as allies and friends we must renew our efforts to organize for justice in Palestine.
In solidarity,
The National Executive Committee
Liberation Road
