From Al Jazeera on April 6: “More than 30 Democratic members of the US House of Representatives have called for a full halt to the transfer of weapons to Israel, in a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. ‘In light of the recent strike against aid workers and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis, we believe it is unjustifiable to approve these weapons transfers,’ read the letter signed on Friday by the lawmakers, including former House speaker and Biden ally Nancy Pelosi.”
Israel has killed over 33,000 Palestinians and wounded over 75,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. U.S. made and supplied weapons are killing entire families in Gaza. Our tax dollars are directly funding this genocide. Israel continues to use starvation as a weapon and now more people are dying from this forced famine that’s causing malnutrition and illness. Israel has prevented Palestinians’ access to aid and actively killed civilians.
President Biden continues to supply and fund Israel while knowing since October 2023 that Israel has been targeting civilians. This is continued participation in this genocide and a violation of Leahy law, which prohibits our government from funding foreign forces who are implicated in gross human rights violations. Global human rights organizations have repeatedly reported on Israel’s gross human rights violations and war crimes, including targeting hospitals and healthcare workers, targeting journalists and civilians, using starvation as a weapon, etc. As people of conscience, we will not ignore this.
I support a ceasefire, along with the U.N. Security Council Resolution on March 25 and the majority of Americans (including 77% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans) who support a permanent ceasefire (Data for Progress, February 2024 report). We are paying attention to representatives who publicly call for a permanent ceasefire and ensure UNWRA aid, which will shape the 2024 elections. I want you to cosponsor HR 786 by Rep Bush.
I am demanding 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, 5) no more weapons or funding to the Israeli military, 6) the reinstatement of UNRWA funding. A permanent ceasefire is an absolutely critical step to ensuring everlasting liberation and peace.
The ICJ ruled that Israel should do everything in its power to prevent genocide. 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.
First sent on April 9 by Alice
