On Dec 22, the UN warned that Israel is working to expel the civilian population of Gaza. “Evacuation orders issued to civilians by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been inaccurate, self-contradictory, and largely depend on electricity and telecommunications networks, often subject to an illegal Israeli blackout.” (https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/12/israel-working-expel-civilian-population-gaza-un-expert-warns (https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/12/israel-working-expel-civilian-population-gaza-un-expert-warns))
1.9-2.3 million Palestinian people have been displaced. Since October 7th, 20,000+ Palestinians, 70% of whom are women and children, have been killed by the IDF through the war crime of collective punishment. UNICEF calls Gaza the most dangerous place in the world for children. 1.15 million+ people are starving and have minimal water supplies in Gaza. 100+ Palestinian journalists and media workers have been targeted and murdered by the IDF in the last two months. The hospitals in Gaza have been destroyed by the IDF and medical infrastructure is decimated - only 9 of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially functioning. These partially functioning hospitals in South Gaza are operating at 3x their typical capacity, with 206% occupancy in inpatient units and 250% occupancy in ICUs. Since November 16th, the UN has warned us to prevent this continued genocide of the Palestinian people.
I am asking you to take immediate steps to deescalate violence in Gaza and Israel by calling for 1) a total and permanent ceasefire, 2) humanitarian aid allowed to enter Gaza, 3) an end to Israel's siege on Gaza, 4) the release of all Palestinian and Israeli hostages, and 5) no more weapons or funding to the Israeli military. A permanent ceasefire is an absolutely critical step to ensuring everlasting liberation and peace.
I support a permanent ceasefire, along with 62 Congressmembers, and 61% of American voters (https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2023/12/5/voters-want-the-us-to-call-for-a-permanent-ceasefire-in-gaza-and-to-prioritize-diplomacy). I'm urgently asking you to publicly call for a permanent ceasefire. U.S. made weapons are killing entire families in Gaza. Our tax dollars are directly funding this genocide. As your office was recently informed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, there is legal liability for aiding and abetting genocide through congressional acts. In a new lawsuit, Palestinians are suing President Biden for complicity in genocide. You must take action now and end all U.S. support in Israel's enactment of this genocide.
First sent on December 27, 2023 by Alice
