From NBC on June 14: “The Israeli government’s inclusion of the phrase ‘there are no innocent civilians’ in an official video that was seemingly amplified through a paid advertisement sparked a firestorm of criticism that’s been viewed millions of times on X, with some people denouncing the video as an attempt to justify the killing of civilians as the bloody war in Gaza continues into its ninth month. International humanitarian law is largely based on making a distinction between civilians and combatants, he said in an interview. ‘To blur the lines is to suggest that this whole apparatus is incorrect or faulty and therefore, in this instance at least, anyone can be targeted, and I think that’s why people are so concerned about this kind of rhetoric,’ said Kersten, who's also a criminal justice professor at the University of the Fraser Valley in Canada, specializing in international criminal law.”
President Biden continues to supply and fund Israel while knowing since October 2023 that Israel has been targeting civilians. This is continued participation in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians and a violation of Leahy Law, which prohibits our government from funding foreign forces who are implicated in gross human rights violations.
International scholar and lawyer, Francesca Albanese, has documented how Israel’s gross human rights violations and war crimes are genocidal acts, including their targeting of hospitals and healthcare workers, targeting journalists and civilians, using starvation as a weapon, etc. Israeli government officials have repeatedly expressed genocidal intent. The Gaza Strip's ability to produce food and clean water has been severely destroyed by Israeli airstrikes and bulldozers which have razed farms and orchards. People have unearthed mass graves with evidence of torture. The U.S. continues to ignore the U.N. resolution on March 25 for a ceasefire. As people of conscience, we will not ignore this.
I am demanding you to take immediate steps to stop Israel’s genocide of Palestinians by calling for 1) a total and permanent bilateral ceasefire (which is what a ceasefire is), 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 U.N.R.W.A funding. A permanent ceasefire is an absolutely critical step to ensuring everlasting liberation and peace.
The I.C.J. 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 June 15 by Alice
