It is almost too horrible to imagine. Today, Israeli snipers again opened fire on unarmed Palestinian protesters in Gaza. So far, 52 are confirmed dead and the death toll will likely continue to climb.
Imagine if 52 Israeli peaceful protesters were killed? Or 52 Americans? There would be a massive outcry, nonstop media coverage, and demands to hold the killers accountable. Don’t Palestinian lives have the same value? We think so.
To make this barbaric situation even more horrific, just 60 miles away from Gaza, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, David Friedman and other US officials are celebrating the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. The move cements US complicity in Israel’s occupation and its separate and unequal policies.
Since March 30, Palestinians in Gaza have been marching for an end to the 11-year-long siege that cripples every aspect of their lives, and for the right to return to the villages and homes they were displaced from in 1948 when the state of Israel was created. Since 1948, Israel has continued to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their lands and deny their rights.
Palestinians in Gaza have only four hours a day of electricity, and 97% of the water is unfit for human consumption. Hospitals, already crippled by shortages of supplies, are unable to cope with today’s influx of the wounded and dying.
In these incredibly dark times, we must speak up and demand an end to US complicity. Call on your members of Congress. Demand they condemn Israel’s killing of unarmed protesters. All people should have the right to march peacefully for their rights.
Tomorrow is Nakba Day, the commemoration of 70 years of displacement, and the protests will continue in Palestine. Take action now to demand an end to Israeli massacres.
With a heavy heart,
Ariel and all of CODEPINK
