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Dear friend,
There is a humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza, where over 2 million Palestinians—half of whom are children—have had their access to food, water, and humanitarian aid under near total blockade for weeks. The UN has reported that 42% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed by an escalating campaign of bombardment, and the death toll has risen to over 9,000 Palestinians, including 3,600 children. We cannot sit by and allow further destruction of human life. We must focus on protecting the innocent civilian lives at stake by calling for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation of violence. Sign the petition now to demand a ceasefire to protect innocent civilian lives. Congress must hear loud and clear that the majority of Americans—80% of Democrats, and 66% of Americans overall, according to a new poll by Data for Progress—support the ceasefire and want to move toward a peaceful solution that values human rights.1 When we resist war and use our voices collectively, we can win a just solution grounded in human dignity. Palestinian and Israeli lives are at stake. We must build on our collective humanity and call for a ceasefire today. The people of Palestine and Israel deserve to live their lives without fear of violence and mass death. If you’re heartbroken, you are not alone. We can hold space in our hearts to mourn these deaths, while also taking action to call on U.S. policymakers to use their power to do everything they can to stop all further loss of innocent lives, no matter the identity. As the whole world grapples with the escalated violence in Israel and Palestine, the Israeli government has stopped all food, fuel, water, electricity, and humanitarian assistance from entering Gaza, and this has already had devastating impacts on over 2 million people, half of whom are children.2,3 The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees has announced that "Gaza is running dry," and hospitals in Gaza reported that their backup generators would quickly run out of fuel, cutting off life support and vital systems. This action has exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli government's air, land, and sea blockade and will likely result in catastrophic loss of life if continued. Nearly half of Gaza's residents are under the age of 16, and 65% are under the age of 25, effectively meaning that Palestinian children are bearing the brunt of the Israeli government’s collective punishment. President Biden and our leaders must publicly call for an immediate ceasefire and deescalation; demand the protection of all civilians, including securing the release of hostages; and tell the Israeli government to turn on electricity in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid for Palestinians to enter ! While the Biden administration is close to an aid agreement with Israeli government officials to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and establish ‘safe zones,’ there is still no action or plan in place. The United Nations and aid organizations are sounding an alarm that conditions in Gaza are dire right now. There is no time to spare. A military response from Israel will not secure the safety of those currently hostage or trapped, some of whom are Americans, and instead punishes a generation of young Palestinians living in Gaza. Netanyahu, facing mounting pressure and polling the lowest among Israeli voters, has led decades of policies that have resulted in no more peace or safety for Israelis. The Biden administration must call for a ceasefire and urge Netanyahu to do everything in his power to reunite hostages with their loved ones without putting more lives in danger. Will you join thousands and take action by signing the petition? The Israeli government has launched a massive ground attack on Gaza and they have already been targeting and bombing civilians in their attacks, which is a violation of international law.4,5,6,7,8 This comes after Israel dropped tens of thousands of leaflets from the sky to issue an evacuation order to Gazans living in the northern Gaza Strip, telling 1.1 million Palestinian residents to evacuate south within 24 hours, which the U.N. said would be impossible without devastating humanitarian consequences.9,10 Then, despite naming which routes would be safe for evacuation, the Israeli government bombed Palestinians evacuating.11 A United Nations human rights expert has confirmed that Palestinians are facing mass ethnic cleansing at the hands of the Israeli government and occupation forces.3 United States leaders have the massive power to intervene and stop it. And the time is NOW to come together and demand it end. The people of Palestine and Israel deserve to live their lives without fear of violence and mass death. Thanks for all you do.
MoveOn Sources :
1.
"Voters Agree the U.S. Should Call for a Ceasefire and De-Escalation of
Violence in Gaza to Prevent Civilian Deaths," Data for Progress,
October 20, 2023 |
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