Why it matters:
The demonstrations highlight how the climate movement is increasingly linking environmental justice with political liberation, bringing the Palestinian cause into a major international forum attended by over 50,000 people.
The big picture:
As the Israeli regime continues its assault on Gaza, activists at COP30 said environmental destruction in the region, including the collapse of basic life-support systems, cannot be separated from broader global discussions on sustainability and climate responsibility. Many participants cited Western governments’ silence or selective outrage as a sign of hypocrisy within international climate diplomacy.
What they are saying:
Human rights lawyer Alex Brooks told participants that “colonizers cannot be expected to stop destruction on their own” and emphasized the need to hold them accountable.
He added that standing for freedom requires personal sacrifice, referencing the suppression of pro-Palestine university protests in the United States.
Other speakers echoed that the struggle of Palestinians represents the struggle of all oppressed peoples.
Key points:
Thousands wore keffiyehs and carried Palestinian flags throughout the summit.
Activists said, “There is no climate justice without justice for Palestine.”
The Israeli regime’s delegation consisted of only three members, far fewer than in previous years.
The absence of an official Israeli pavilion allowed civil society groups to organize visible pro-Palestine demonstrations.
Figures such as geopolitical analyst Angelo Giuliano and Kashmiri-Iranian activist Ruhullah Rizvi voiced support for Palestinian resistance.
Go deeper:
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M.Majdi - Mojtaba Darabi
