POPULAR support for Palestinian resistance is at an all-time high. In Govanhill, Glasgow, this has inspired collective action across many campaigns and organisations.

The Young Communist League (YCL) is one of those organisations working in Govanhill to build support for and provide aid in solidarity with the people of Gaza. In particular, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP).

The DFLP is a Marxist-Leninist organisation and the fourth-largest political party in Palestine. It is active at every level of the struggle, fighting on the ground and at the UN against its people’s ongoing displacement. It advocates a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as its capital and the right of return for all displaced Palestinians. The DFLP is affiliated with the YCL through the international youth organisation World Federation of Democratic Youth.

Through a series of street stalls, bake sales and bucket-shaking, the young communists of Glasgow have raised their first £1,000 and are well on their way to smashing their initial target of £1,500 by June. Most of the fundraising activity has taken the form of street stalls and bake sales along Victoria Road. 

Here, members and their campaign have been extraordinarily well received by the community. Many people who are already familiar with the horrendous occupation of Gaza are pleased to see us and willing to donate when given the chance. Meanwhile, the bake sale has engaged people who wouldn’t usually approach a stall to donate or discuss politics. This approach has left even the most uninterested person with new information or at least a homemade cookie (for a small donation, of course).

About half of the money raised so far has come from bucket-shaking outside of football matches. The Southside Cadre took advantage of the Scottish League Cup finals taking place at Hampden Park and mobilised, focusing on Celtic FC fans as they have shown great solidarity with the Palestinian people. The League consistently raises over £250 at each game they attend.

Another boost for the campaign has been the affiliation of Unity Books. Local to Govanhill, the country’s largest socialist bookshop has donated books for us to sell at our stalls and even provides a cut of sales made from books related to Palestine to the national fundraiser. The bookstore is also associated with the newly formed Govanhill Apartheid-Free Zone. A grassroots initiative aiming to support small businesses in implementing BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions). For more information or to browse the selection, please visit unitybooks.co.uk.

This is just the beginning, as the Glasgow YCL has plans to work with more local businesses, build towards a community fundraiser gig and create a campaign newsletter.

All funds raised from this campaign are passed to NGOs which, working with the DFLP, acquire and distribute goods to the people of Palestine. This aid is specifically targeted towards people remaining in north Gaza, where the Israeli blockade is most severe.

Solidarity with Palestine is imperative. The movement in Scotland is at its strongest and momentum needs to be maintained. However, we cannot satisfy ourselves with the great solidarity we have shown thus far through our marches, boycotts, and fundraisers. We must work toward building a united, working-class led front to fight the system of capitalism that perpetuates these crimes against the peoples of Palestine and the world over. Only socialism can put an end to the endless pursuit of markets and profit that incentivises the bourgeois class to commit such crimes against the world and its people.

If you would like to get involved or support our campaign, visit our website at ycl.org.uk/fundraiser-for-gaza to donate and join! To keep up to date with our ongoing work, follow us on social media at @ycl_glasgow.