1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

If you’re not going to stop Israel’s genocide in Palestine, be honest about the war crimes you are supporting. Remember last October when Israel bombed the hospital in Gaza, but denied responsibility, outraged that anyone would accuse them of doing such a thing. And then proceeded to bomb every single hospital in Gaza, plus schools, refugee camps, entire residential neighborhoods, journalists, food delivery trucks, the Westbank, Lebanon, UN peacekeepers, Yemen, healthcare workers, doctors, and so so so many innocent children and civilians? Call Israel on its countless hypocrisies, and speak truthfully about the state of their cruel attacks. Be honest with us and with yourself about the goals of Israel, and its illegal occupation of Palestinian lands. We just celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day, in which we reflect on the blood soaked history of US Colonialism and genocide of indigenous people, believing this land to be ours by mandate from God. Why can we condemn the past inhumanity and cruelty of European settlers in the Americas but not when it is occurring before our very eyes in real time in Israel and Palestine? How can you, can anyone, see the carnage inflicted on the Palestinian people and not feel compelled to do everything in your power to stop it? You have the power to put pressure on Israel. And as long as the massacres continue in the Middle East we will continue to put pressure on you. You give us no choice but to interrupt your speeches, march in the streets, occupy buildings and campuses, and call as much as possible. We are desperate to save the people of Palestine. Show us you are too. I demand you do everything in your power to: – Hold Israel accountable to a permanent, immediate ceasefire and for their repeat violations of international law – Call for the immediate end of Israel’s occupation and apartheid - Support Palestinians in their fight for freedom and peace – Secure the immediate release and safety of all hostages, including Palestinians held by Israel in "military prisons", including those whose indefinite detention began prior to 10/7/24 – Permanently end all monetary, diplomatic, and military aid given to Israel and enforce U.S. laws like Leahy Law and the Arms Export Control Act – Resume full funding of UNRWA and allocate more funds to aid humanitarian efforts to rebuild Gaza, and provide Palestinians with the resources to survive and thrive – Immediately withdraw all U.S. troops, military assets, and all other assets deployed throughout the Middle East and cease all actions that further escalate a larger regional conflict - Void all anti-BDS laws and other laws that infringe on my right to freedom of speech to criticize any political ideology or country, and to use my money in ways that align with my values