FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 2, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected] | 228-990-4168
PEACE ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER PETITION TO UN MISSIONS, EMBASSIES & CONSULATES URGING SUPPORT FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S CASE IN THE WORLD COURT CHARGING ISRAEL WITH GENOCIDE
“Take Israel to court for turning Gaza into a graveyard for children.”
MULTIPLE CITIES – A coalition of peace organizations, spearheaded by CODEPINK, World Beyond War, RootsAction and The People’s Forum, will present a petition and letter to UN representatives, embassies and consulates across the United States on Thursday, January 4th, calling on nation-states to unite with South Africa in charging Israel with genocide. The urgent plea implores members of the United Nations to join South Africa’s filing to invoke the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, holding Israel accountable for the crime of genocide in Gaza.
“Instead of upholding international law, the US government is aiding and abetting genocide–sending missiles and bombs to murder Gaza’s imprisoned population, almost half of them children. To stop the slaughter and ethnic cleansing, peace-loving people in this country must reach out to representatives of other nations to urge them to join South Africa in demanding the UN take immediate action to protect Gazans,” explained Medea Benjamin with CODEPINK.
The petition, which garnered nearly 30,000 signatures within a mere two weeks and continues to accrue hundreds daily, is a testament to the widespread support for the cause. In addition, approximately 75,000 letters have been sent to UN representatives for Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Jordan, Turkey, Ireland, Belize, Bolivia, Honduras, Pakistan, and Algeria.
The petition references Israel's heinous actions that meet the criteria for genocide under international law, which defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group …”
Israel’s genocidal actions include its relentless 75 day bombing campaign to terrorize 2.3 million Gazans, killing over 22,000 Palestinians, displacing nearly 2-million Gazans and denying access to essential resources such as water, food, medicine, and fuel.
“For decades the notion of 'never again' has been ingrained in our culture, and even misapplied in propaganda for wars. Was it, like so many other Western ideals, supposed to apply only to certain people? Or can we compel those in power to end the public, shameless, televised genocide underway before our eyes in Gaza?" said David Swanson, Executive Director of World BEYOND War.
Petition deliveries are scheduled for Thursday, January 4th, at embassies and consulates located in key cities, including New York City, Hartford, Boston, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans and the District of Columbia.
Countries receiving the letter and petition include Algeria, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Denmark, France, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Jordan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Namibia, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey.
Significantly, most of the selected consulates have already expressed their belief that Israel is committing genocide. This campaign urges them to submit a “Declaration of Intervention” to support South Africa’s case charging Israel with genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Delegations in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and the District of Columbia will also make stops at the South Africa consulate to thank them for doing the right thing and filing the charges against Israel.
“South Africa took the brave and correct step of taking Israel to court. Now we have to get as many countries as possible to show support, as this puts more pressure on Israel and on the court itself. It is also a way to show support for the international rule of law and the peaceful resolution of disputes, as opposed to Israel’s brutality.” Ahmed Ait-Ghezala, CODEPINK member
The campaign emphasizes the collective voice of people of good conscience across the United States, aiming to convey that a majority of Americans do not endorse the slaughter in Gaza. The coalition encourages these nation-states to consider the moral imperative to address the situation and contribute to the pursuit of justice.
For further information, please contact: Melissa Garriga at [email protected]
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