"Israel must do its part. Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure humanitarian workers aren't caught in the crossfire."Â Biden's words during last night's State of the Union address mean nothing when he plays a direct role in enabling Israel's genocide campaign in Gaza.Â
Despite what President Biden tells us, we know what really determines the state of the US. He can try to ignore or deny it, but the real drivers of change are the people who put everything on the line to stand up to him and to Congress to demand an end to Israel’s genocide campaign in Gaza. People like so many of you, who joined CODEPINK in Congress this week for International’s Women’s Day (IWD) to demand the women of the Congressional Progressive Caucus call for a permanent ceasefire, stop funding Israel’s genocide, and demand restored funding to UNRWA.
This year we celebrated IWD by driving an important message home: Feminism will not be co-opted by war-mongers to advance imperialism, and anyone who attempts to do so will be held accountable. We started the week with 24 women in the Congressional Progressive Caucus who had not called for a ceasefire and, after a week in Congress delivering IWD petitions, we are down to 18. We even pressured Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to say she won't vote for more funding to Israel. Our movement is growing thanks to your continued support and pressure. Let these victories motivate you to advance your organizing for Gaza. This IWD, renew your intentions as an intersectional feminist, and remember the women and girls in Gaza who are facing the greatest antithesis to feminism–colonial violence.
We must not look to Biden, a literal war criminal, to tell us the state of the US. We have observed its willingness to support genocide and ignore the demands of its people. According to a recent poll by YouGov/CEPR, the majority of Americans want to stop sending weapons to Israel. That’s where our power lies, in the people fighting for liberation across the globe, and we cannot be swayed by money from the pro-Israel lobby.Â
Earlier this week, CODEPINK gave $10K to UNRWA since the US and other major donors suspended their funding for the agency amid the crisis caused by Israel’s genocide campaign in Gaza. If our government won’t do what’s right, we will.
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We must carry this mindset of action and accountability as we continue our fight for Palestinian liberation. Superficiality won’t cut it, we will mobilize and apply pressure until our demands are met! A permanent ceasefire is just the start, tell the women of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to pledge to vote “No” on any bill that includes aid for Israel!
👉Take action this IWD:
- Check out our events page to find an IWD event near you!
- Directly support families in need in Gaza through Operation Olive Branch!
- Check out our organizing resources and especially our #IWD2024 ToolkitÂ
- Pass a ceasefire resolution in your city with this toolkit!
- Take action daily for Palestine!
- Check out our BDS toolkit!
- Join us on 3/11 for the next Missing Peace Monday Community Call!
- Join our Palestine ListServ!
Towards Peace,
Nour and the whole CODEPINK Team