Arabs are divided, drifting in disagreement over Syria, Bahrain, Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Lebanon and the Gulf. Sectarianism, ideology and politics have turned us against each other. But as divisive conflicts in the Middle East dominate our headlines, little attention has been given to the cause that unites us all: Palestine.

The events following the “Arab Spring” have split the Arab masses and widened the range of their disputes. But as protests, civil wars and chaos rage across the Arab World, Israel has continued to colonize Palestinian land, annex Palestinian territories and demolish Palestinian homes. 

The apartheid regime in the West Bank is thriving. Palestinians continue to suffer at Israeli checkpoints, enduring violent attacks from settlers under the protection of the occupation forces. Their resources are disproportionately consumed by neighboring Jewish colonies, all while they are brutally suppressed by the Israeli military and treated as subhuman in their own land, with no access to the highways, transportation systems and mobility offered to settlers.

Zionist extremists are attacking Christian and Muslim places of worship on a regular basis, and the Israeli government continues its underground excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem, endangering Islam’s third holiest site, Al-Aqsa Mosque. 

Even Palestinians who live within Israel are subjects of discrimination. Last month, the Israeli government passed a law that distinguishes between Muslim and Christian “Israeli Arabs” in an attempt to divide its Arab citizenry.

In Gaza, 1.7 million Palestinians suffer under an inhumane blockade. Fuel, construction materials and often food are scarce as the area remains under Israeli-Egyptian siege. Millions of Palestinian refugees who were terrorized out of their homes to make space for the establishment of Israel in 1948 continue to live in reprehensible camps in neighboring countries. Their misery is inseparable from the Palestinian cause. 

Yet, the Palestinian Authority still engages in useless peace talks and makes concessions to Israel and its Western patrons. 

While the ongoing pain inflicted on Palestinians persists, the world’s attention is somewhere else. Arabs’ attention is somewhere else. 

The Palestinian cause has never been a real priority to most Arab leaders, but it has always survived in the hearts and consciousness of the Arab masses. However, over the past two years, (by accident or design), Palestine’s presence in our collective awareness has gradually diminished. Arabs have instead focused on their petty differences and sidelined the Palestinian cause. That is a tragedy.

Palestine is not only a cause for all Arabs. Dubbed as the last anti-colonial struggle, the Palestinian question must remain at the forefront of the agendas of all human rights advocates. We cannot abandon it or let it fade away from our attention.

The Boycott, Divestments and Sanction movement (BDS) has been gaining momentum on college campuses across America. The movement provides a practical means to express solidarity with the Palestinian people. Boycotting Israeli products and institutions that fund the oppression of Palestinians is a way for every person who supports human rights in Palestine to engage in peaceful resistance. 

However, while BDS is garnering support from diverse groups across Europe and North America, Arabs’ support for Palestine is losing intensity.

Arab Americans in Michigan did not even hold a single event to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Al-Nakba last year. Meanwhile, the community was active on divisive issues. Rallies and meetings were held on Syria, Yemen and Egypt, as if Palestine is no longer of concern.

On Land Day, March 30, we should remind ourselves of Palestine. Let us all attend the events held in commemoration and take to social media to inform our non-Arab friends about the Palestinian struggle for freedom and dignity. If we address Palestine in one voice, perhaps we can overlook our differences on the rest of the Middle East and come together as one solid community.

Palestine unites us all. In the midst of everything else, let’s not forget that.