Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
We, the United States of America, have given Israel more than $225 billion in military aid, with Biden recently authorizing another $14 billion of emergency aid.
These are a few of the facts from this military campaign that we have enabled, backed, and funded:
In the past three months, Israel has destroyed more than 70% of the homes in Gaza, killing more than 25,000 people including 9,600 children, with another 63,000 injured and lacking medical care. 1.9 million people - over 85% of the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, and are facing the immediate risk of disease, famine, and further bombing.
As of 1/15, Israel has killed: over 311 doctors, nurses and other health workers, including doctors and ambulance drivers killed on duty; 103 journalists, amounting to over one per day, and more than 73 per cent of the total number of journalists and media workers killed globally in 2023; 40 civil defense workers — responsible for helping to dig victims out of the rubble — killed while on duty; and over 209 teachers and educational staff.
They have demolished entire universities, targeted hospitals, and deployed AI systems to generate bombing targets in a campaign so brutal that the Gaza Strip now looks different from outer space.
Lack of access to water, food, and medical supplies threatens to kill even more Palestinians than those who’ve been killed in the bombing campaigns, and still Israel refuses to allow in foreign aid or commit to a ceasefire, despite a recent offer from Hamas to return all hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire.
This is not what fighting terrorism looks like.
Far more information about the historical context and the active war can be found in the genocide charges brought against Israel by South Africa at the International Center for Justice, starting on page 9.
I encourage you to read them for yourself.
They are harrowing, painful things to read. We must read them because we are complicit in these crimes.
However, the very nature of our backing means that we have the political leverage to demand an immediate ceasefire, to send more humanitarian aid, and to fight for the liberation and safety of the Palestinian people.
It is only a question of whether we apply it.
It is only a question of whether we apply it to our representatives.
It is only a question of whether we stand by our values, or we watch a people be destroyed by bombs we made - their makers reaping profits all the while.
This moment is a fundamental question of our national character: Are we a people who care about human life? Or do we only care insofar as they look the same, talk the same, and worship the same God as us? Do we only care if they are a geopolitical ally, or do we truly stand for the dignity of all life?
There is no avoiding this question. We answer it every day.
January 22nd - 27th: Global Strike For Gaza
Since I started writing this issue last week, more than 2,000 more Palestinians have been killed.
This week is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with millions of people around the globe and call for an end to Israel’s violence.
There are many ways you can get involved. The US Campaign for Palestinian rights has a great toolkit for public action, including protest resources, fliers, boycotts, and a map detailing how much of your state’s tax money goes towards Israel military aid each year.
Check it out. Get involved.
Stand for peace, and fight like hell.
CEASEFIRE NOW .
Mass Reps:
Warren: [202-224-4543]
Markey: [202-224-2742]
All information comes from the full application of the charges of genocide:
Read the full application bringing genocide charges against Israel at UN top court | PBS NewsHour