1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Israel’s genocide of Palestinians — without regard for distinguishing between combatants and civilians — and destruction and occupation of Palestine contributes to the continued dehumanization of Palestinians, as well as anti-Palestinian, anti Arab, and Islamophobic rhetoric. This has led to a rise in anti Palestinian attacks in the U.S., including six year old Palestinian boy Wadea who was stabbed to death by his neighbor and a three year old Palestinian girl who was almost drowned to death by a woman in the same apartment complex. Additionally, rhetoric that conflates Judaism and Jewish people with the government of Israel has contributed to a rise in antisemitism. It is imperative that people are not viewed as their governments. It is imperative that the U.S. recognizes the difference between criticizing a government’s violent actions — and the desire to protect everyone’s humanity — from hatred toward an ethnoreligious group. President Biden continues to supply and fund Israel while knowing since October 2023 that Israel has been targeting civilians. This is continued participation in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians and a violation of Leahy Law, which prohibits our government from funding foreign forces who are implicated in gross human rights violations. International scholar and lawyer, Francesca Albanese, has documented how Israel’s gross human rights violations and war crimes are genocidal acts, including their targeting of hospitals and healthcare workers, targeting journalists and civilians, using starvation as a weapon, etc. Israeli government officials have repeatedly expressed genocidal intent. People have unearthed mass graves with evidence of torture. Israel is ignoring the I.C.J. ruling on May 24 to halt the offensive on Rafah. The U.S. continues to ignore the U.N. resolution on March 25 for a ceasefire. As people of conscience, we will not ignore this. I am demanding you to take immediate steps to stop Israel’s genocide of Palestinians by calling for 1) a total and permanent bilateral ceasefire (which is what a ceasefire is), 2) humanitarian aid allowed to enter Gaza, 3) an end to Israel's siege on Gaza, 4) the release of all Palestinian and Israeli hostages, 5) no more weapons or funding to the Israeli military, 6) the reinstatement of U.N.R.W.A funding. A permanent ceasefire is an absolutely critical step to ensuring everlasting liberation and peace. The I.C.J. ruled that Israel should do everything in its power to prevent genocide. Never again means never again for anyone. Palestinians deserve to live with freedom and safety which means first stopping this genocide and then ensuring liberation from occupation and apartheid. The liberation and safety of Palestinians, Israelis, Jewish people, and Muslim people are intertwined. There can only be true safety when we are all free from oppression.