1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

As I sit down to write this letter today, my heart brims with a profound sorrow, knowing that every word I pen is etched against the backdrop of innumerable innocent lives lost and endless suffering inflicted on those who remain. The violence that wreaks havoc this very moment in Palestine is not a detached geopolitical occurrence in some distant land, rather it is an ongoing trauma that shreds our shared human fabric, leaving scars that echo through generations. It is deeply distressing that U.S. taxpayer funding is supporting actions that result in the destruction of Palestinian homes, schools, and hospitals, and fuels further violence and division. We must reckon with the truth, however uncomfortable - the status quo is not just unsustainable, it is unconscionable. Crimes against humanity are not a political issue; they are a test of our alignment with the basic principles of humanity - justice, equality, and dignity for all, irrespective of race, religion or geopolitical borders. As they stand, our actions are in sharp conflict with these principles. Pervasive stories and images of children torn away from their families, homes reduced to rubble, and countless lives devastated by fear and violence - this is the heartbreaking legacy we are currently complicit in. The implications are far-reaching and dire, not just for the Palestinians but for our identities as global citizens striving for peace and justice. The narrative must change. We urgently demand a ceasefire and an end to the violence that affects the innocent civilians of Palestine disproportionately. The lives lost and the pain inflicted can never be justified in the name of defense or retaliation. We implore an immediate halt to U.S. funds being used to support these actions that breed further hostility and engender a cycle of retribution. Instead, let us use our resources for peace-building initiatives, for fostering dialogue, and for encouraging coexistence. We must unequivocally condemn and strive to abolish any action that constitutes a crime against humanity, and instead, aspire towards global solidarity and a peaceful, just world.