The occupation still firmly in place - Take Action

While the world celebrates the removal of metal detectors, checkpoints and surveillance cameras outside the gates of Al Aqsa mosque sanctuary in Jerusalem, the American Muslims for Palestine reminds its supporters that the Israeli occupation is still in full effect.

In fact, within the last few days:

• The Israeli Prime Minister’s Likud party voted to oppose any notion of a Palestinian state.
• The Knesset began debate on a bill that would redraw Jerusalem’s boundaries , removing Palestinian areas from the city;
• The Knesset also debated a measure that would make it nearly impossible for an Israeli  prime minister to concede East Jerusalem to Palestinians in any future negotiated peace deal.  
• And Israeli forces stormed Al Aqsa mosque sanctuary just one hour after it was reopened on Thursday, firing rubber-tipped bullets and injuring at least 100 Palestinian worshipers. 

The entire international community recognizes that East Jerusalem is under occupation. It is against international law as stated in the Fourth Geneva Conventions for an occupier to change the demographic makeup of the territory it occupies. Palestinians see East Jerusalem as a capital of their future state. 

Call your elected officials and/or the State Department to ask them to pressure Israel to abide by international law.