Speak Out Against Israel’s Murder of Unarmed Palestinians in Gaza
(WASHINGTON, D.C. 4/2/2018)—Once again, Israel has proven itself a violent aggressor that murders with impunity. This weekend, Palestinians in Gaza buried their loved ones after Israeli snipers killed at least 18 unarmed, peaceful protesters and injured more than 1000 others.
In observation of Land Day, Palestinians last Friday participated in the “March of Return”. At least 30,000 Palestinians living in the besieged Gaza Strip marched to the blockaded border with Israel, set up camp, and expressed their desire to return to their ancestral lands from which they were expelled. The peaceful gathering, which brought families to picnic, wave Palestinian flags, and worship communally, immediately saw death and violence visited upon a defenseless, encaged population, living under siege for over 11 years and on the brink of economic collapse.
Even U.S. politicians could not condone Israel’s aggression against peaceful demonstrators. Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted, “The killing of Palestinian demonstrators by Israeli forces in Gaza is tragic. It is the right of all people to protest for a better future without a violent response. And, “Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains a humanitarian disaster. The U.S. must play a more positive role in ending the Gaza blockade and helping Palestinians and Israelis build a future that works for all.” On CNN’s State of the Union, program, Sen. Sanders also said he did not believe the Israeli government’s narrative, believed Israel’s response to be disproportionate, and called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “a disaster.”
Today, Rep. Betty McCollum, who sponsored the first bill in Congress that recognizes Palestinian human rights, tweeted, “I am horrified by the tragic wounding & killing of Palestinian protesters in Gaza last Friday. Attacks on peaceful Palestinian protesters must end, and the U.S. & the international community must do more to support a resolution to the conflict.”
More than 70 percent of Gaza's two million inhabitants are refugees and descendants of refugees expelled from their homes inside Israel. Over one million are dependent on UNRWA assistance, and live with just 4 hours of electricity a day, 98% polluted water, and a 60% unemployment rate. More than half the population are children.
The civil society demonstrations are set to continue until Nakba Day in mid-May, marking the 70th anniversary of their expulsion. This day is also the planned U.S. embassy opening in Jerusalem, which contravenes international law.
As the wounded continue to fall victim to their injuries, we ask you to take immediate action against this gross violation of human rights and international law.
TAKE ACTION
We cannot allow these atrocities against peaceful demonstrators in Palestine to continue. Here are several things you can do:
1. Call your members of Congress and the State Department. Find their phone numbers at www.govtrack.us. Ask them to call Jose-Manuel Dobarco, the Department of State’s vetter on Leahy Law violations for the Near Eastern Affairs desk. Dobarco’s contact number: 202-632-2040.
TALKING POINTS
Israel’s Violence Against Unarmed Civilians Violates the Leahy Law
The Leahy Law prohibits the United States from providing funding to foreign military units if there is “credible information” those units were involved in human rights violations. The law also requires the State Department to compile a database of those military individuals and units who commit human rights violations.
Israel does not comply with this law. Ask legislators to pressure the State Department to enforce the Leahy Law on Israel by requiring an accounting of how US aid is spent and to investigate specific military units when credible information of human rights abuses arise.
The United States has provided more cumulative bilateral assistance to Israel than to any other country since World War II, totaling more than $121 billion. Almost all U.S. aid to Israel is granted in the form of military assistance.
For decades, international human rights organizations have been documenting examples of Israeli human rights violations committed against Palestinians living under its effective control and have recently argued that U.S. military aid to Israel should be subject to the rigors of the Leahy Law.
And finally, the U.S. must pressure Israel to end the modern world’s longest-lasting military occupation and allow Palestinians their liberty, self-determination and right to return to their homeland.
OTHER ACTIONS
2. Forward this email to your contact lists.
3. Organize an educational event at your mosque, church, synagogue, school or community group (please reach out to AMP for any help).
4. Organize a demonstration locally in solidarity with the “March of Return” particularly on the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, and in protest of the reckless decision by the Trump administration to relocate the U.S. embassy on that day.
5. Write an op-ed using the talking points. AMP staff is here to help you write and place your op-ed.