March for Gaza in Bangladesh: A vital chapter in the fight for justice
The March for Gaza, held on April 12, 2025, saw 100,000 protesters painting the streets of Dhaka with the colours of the Palestinian flag and the spirit of freedom. The word "freedom," is synonymous with the fight and struggle for Palestine. I think of Palestine as a land where freedom is not merely spoken of, but lived, longed for, and bled for. My father, the Palestinian ambassador to Bangladesh, always told me, "You cannot value freedom unless you fight for it." As I write this, human beings in Gaza continue to face the wrath of Israel's indiscriminate bombings, and human beings in the West Bank continue to see their lives uprooted by the Israeli settlers. Fighting for justice while struggling with injustice is embedded in the ancestry of every Palestinian family: we've seen oppression at our doorsteps; our fathers and mothers have seen it, just like our grandfathers and grandmothers had, too.
In every olive tree that still grows through the rubble, in every child who dares to dream beneath drones and debris, and under occupation, and in every soul that chooses dignity over despair—there is resistance. The Palestinian people do not simply value freedom; they carry it in their bones, they breathe it, ache for it, and pass it on like a sacred inheritance, even when the world tries to strip it from their hands, no thief can steal that from them.
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On March 23, 2025, the world witnessed yet another tragedy as Israeli forces targeted Palestinian aid workers in Gaza. Among the victims were paramedics, ambulance drivers, medics, firefighters, and first responders who were all actively engaged in providing life-saving assistance amidst the ongoing genocide. Their sacrifices, made in the service of saving lives, were met with an unjust and devastating attack. Meanwhile, the brutality continued as Israeli forces opened fire on a group of children in the occupied West Bank, killing a 14-year-old Palestinian-American boy and wounding at least two others.
In Palestine and in the heart of Gaza, where the echoes of violence and struggle are an everyday reality, it is often hard to imagine the world outside of our borders sharing in our pain. Yet, today, as I reflect on the recent protests in Dhaka and other major cities in Bangladesh, I find myself overwhelmed with a deep sense of gratitude. The solidarity shown by the people of Bangladesh for Palestine is not just heartwarming; it is a testament to the power of human empathy and the unbreakable bonds that unite us all in the pursuit of justice.
It is no secret that power dynamics in the world—driven by the US—back the Israeli apartheid state and enable the system of oppression that the Netanyahu-led Israeli government is unleashing onto Palestinians. And in an intertwined, globalised world where the lives of domestic people and the sustenance of a government depend on global power dynamics, it's often easier for nations and their citizens to stay silent. But Bangladesh and Bangladeshis have consistently remained on the right side of history at a time when doing what is right brings forth more pain than gains.
The streets of Dhaka, bustling with thousands of passionate voices, have become a beacon of hope for the Palestinian people. These protests, organised by students, workers, and activists, have not only raised awareness about the dire situation in Gaza but have also demonstrated that the struggle for Palestinian freedom is not one we fight alone. In a world where geopolitical divides often overshadow the voices of the oppressed, the people of Bangladesh have answered our cries for justice with unwavering support.
As a Palestinian woman living through the heavy heartache of the ongoing struggle, it's hard to put into words what it feels like to see the world around us—so far, yet so close—rallying for our freedom and dignity. The love and solidarity from the people of Bangladesh mean more than they will ever know.
In a world where news cycles often turn cold and distant, it's hard to believe that anyone could feel the pain of our plight as deeply as we do. But then, I read about the streets of Dhaka, where thousands of people, young and old, gathered to shout our name, to hold our flag high, and to chant for an end to the bloodshed that has torn apart our land and our lives. They showed up not out of obligation, but because their hearts understand our pain. They are not our family by blood, but they are our family by the most beautiful bond of human compassion.
For us, Palestinians, it's more than just a protest—it's a symbol of the collective power of humanity. Their involvement is a reminder that our fight is not confined to the streets of Gaza or the frontlines of conflict; it lives in every voice that rises for justice, no matter where in the world it echoes. The protest serves as a powerful reminder that love and solidarity are not bound by geography. The people of Bangladesh have not only acknowledged our suffering; they have chosen to stand with us, amplifying our voices in a world that often seems to turn a deaf ear.
The people of Bangladesh fought for their freedom in 1971 and then again in 2024 to free themselves from a despot. The bond between Bangladesh and Palestine is one tied with a shared struggle to resist oppression of any form and to live with dignity. The most remarkable aspect of the current Palestinian solidarity in Bangladesh is that the nation and its citizens are choosing to march for the Palestinian cause while dealing with their fair share of instability that comes from rebuilding a nation after a revolution. The people of Bangladesh have lifted us in their prayers, their protests, and their undying hope for peace. They are not just spectators of our pain; they are part of our story, a vital chapter in the ongoing fight for justice.
To the people of Bangladesh: your support gives us Palestinians strength in our darkest hours. It reminds us that no matter how distant our struggles may seem, there are compassionate souls who will rise to support what is right. Your actions give us hope that the world can be a better place—a place where justice prevails and where the oppressed are never forgotten. Bangladesh, you've shown us that the spirit of solidarity can bridge oceans and that even in the darkest of times, there are people willing to rise and speak for what is right.
Nada Yousef SY Ramadan is pursuing MA in Diplomacy at the American University in the Emirates.
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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