Download and print posters for your local rallies and demonstrations. Consider submitting a Letter to the Editor using talking points on Gaza from our partners at AFSC.
On March 25, Israel once again began bombing the densely populated Gaza Strip. All crossings in and out of Gaza have been closed, aid that the majority of the population relies on cannot get in, and fishermen cannot go out to sea. The attack by Israel constitutes collective punishment against a civilian population — a flagrant violation of international law. This most recent assault by Israel occurs in the context of a 12 year siege that has created a man made humanitarian crisis so severe that the UN has stated that Gaza will not be fit for human habitation by 2020 unless the blockade is lifted.
In 2008, Israel launched “Operation Cast Lead”, during which over 1300 Palestinians were killed. Then in 2012, Israel’s “Operation Pillar of Defense” killed over 160 Palestinians. In 2014, the Israeli military killed over 2200 Palestinians.
According to a recent UN Human Rights Council report, Israel is guilty of committing war crimes against unarmed civilians protesting along the Gaza fence- including medical workers, journalists and children. Since the start of the “Great March of Return” protest on March 30, 2018, Israel has killed over 250 demonstrators and injured more than 27,000.
The Palestinian people living in Gaza are demanding their right to return to their homes and an end to the brutal blockade that is making Gaza unlivable. We must take action to show that the people of Palestine are not alone and that the world supports their demands for freedom, justice, and equality.
Dear Congressmembers:
Israel is responding to a rocket attack with disproportionate brutal force, risking an escalation that could include bombings of civilians and civilian infrastructure and even a ground invasion. Israel’s response constitutes collective punishment against civilians - a violation of international law.
This most recent assault by Israel occurs in the context of a 12 year siege that has created a man made humanitarian crisis so severe that the UN has stated that Gaza will not be fit for human habitation by 2020 unless the blockade is lifted.
In 2008, Israel launched “Operation Cast Lead”, during which over 1300 Palestinians were killed. Then in 2012, Israel’s “Operation Pillar of Defence” killed over 160 Palestinians. In 2014, the Israeli military killed over 2200 Palestinians, including 500 children.
According to a recent UN report, over the past year Israel has been intentionally targeting and killing children, people with disabilities, medical personnel, and journalists. Given the likelihood that Israel has been engaged in war crimes, there is no reason to expect their military will not target civilians in future escalations.
Gaza is in a humanitarian crisis. The Palestinian people deserve freedom, justice, and equality. Please use your position to publicly urge Israel to lift the land, air, and sea blockade of Gaza and to pursue diplomacy rather than military force.
Sincerely,
