Black people who see themselves in Palestinians find that Israel sees the same

August 19, 2025

The article explores the experiences of Black Americans who have shown solidarity with Palestinians, highlighting their mistreatment by Israeli authorities. It details how Zoharah Simmons, a former SNCC organizer, faced extensive interrogation at Tel Aviv airport in 1994 due to her race and name, requiring intervention from an Israeli legislator to be released. The piece then connects this historical incident to recent events involving Christian Smalls, co-founder of the Amazon Labor Union, who was singled out and physically assaulted when Israeli forces intercepted an aid ship bound for Gaza.

Who is affected

Black Americans who show solidarity with Palestinians
Zoharah Simmons (former SNCC organizer)
Christian Smalls (co-founder of the Amazon Labor Union)
Palestinian civilians living under occupation
Members of solidarity delegations and aid missions to Palestine/Israel

What action is being taken

Black Americans are participating in solidarity movements with Palestinians
International aid ships like the Handala are attempting to deliver essential supplies to Gaza
The Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition is documenting and condemning violence against activists
Israeli forces are intercepting aid vessels bound for Gaza
Israeli authorities are conducting extensive interrogations of Black activists at border points

Why it matters

It demonstrates connections between Black American liberation movements and Palestinian resistance
It highlights what the article describes as disproportionate treatment of Black solidarity activists
It provides firsthand accounts comparing racial oppression in the American South with conditions in occupied Palestinian territories
It shows how racial profiling can occur in border security and military operations
It documents alleged human rights violations against international activists

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper