On January 19th, UNICEF published: “The escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip is having a catastrophic impact on children and families. Children are dying at an alarming rate – thousands have been killed and thousands more injured. More than 1.9 million people in the Gaza Strip are estimated to have been internally displaced – half of them children. They do not have enough access to water, food, fuel and medicine. Their homes have been destroyed; their families torn apart.
Even wars have rules. No child should be cut off from essential services, nor fall from the reach of humanitarian hands. No child should be held hostage or used by any means in armed conflict. Hospitals and schools must be protected from bombings, and they must not be used for military purposes, in accordance with international humanitarian law. The cost to children and their communities of this violence will be borne out for generations to come.”
The world recognizes this ongoing genocide and crisis.
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.
Never again means never again for anyone. Palestinians deserve to live with freedom and safety which means first stopping this genocide and then ensuring liberation from occupation and apartheid. The liberation and safety of Palestinians, Israelis, Jewish people, and Muslim people are intertwined. There can only be true safety when we are all free from oppression.
We are paying attention to representatives who publicly call for a permanent ceasefire, which will shape the 2024 elections. 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).
U.S. made weapons are killing entire families in Gaza. Our tax dollars are directly funding this genocide. As your office was informed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, there is legal liability for aiding and abetting genocide through congressional acts. Palestinians, and now South Africa, are suing President Biden for participating in this genocide. You must take action now and end all U.S. support in Israel's enactment of this genocide.
First sent on January 22 by Alice
