Earlier today, 2/25, a two-month-old baby, Mahmoud Fattouh, died from starvation in northern Gaza. There is no formula. Mothers cannot produce milk due to their own severe dehydration and malnutrition. Mahmoud took his last, gasping and painful breath at the Al-Shifa Hospital. The World Food Programme’s director for emergencies made a statement today that should infuriate every single person on this plaent - there is enough food in the aid trucks that have been waiting at the borders to feed the entirety of Gaza. This desperately needed aid cannot safely reach anywhere in Gaza, much less the north where starvation is the most severe. Israel's ongoing violence against humanitarian aid workers and vehicles, obscene and repeated, unnecessary "security checks" of the aid, and the literal bribes required to get aid into Gaza are what is murdering babies like Mahmoud.
Israeli historian Ilan Pappé made it clear in his recent interview today that what is happening in Gaza goes beyond ethnic cleansing. If you truly believe that this all started on 10/7 and refuse to listen to Palestinians, I encourage you to watch his interview, or read one of his books. The genocide we are witnessing today has been part of Israel's ethnic cleansing campaign from the beginning.
I demand that you:
- Call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire
- Call for the immediate end of Israel's occupation and apartheid and support Palestinians in their fight for freedom and peace
- Hold Israel accountable for their violations of the Genocide Convention and all other international laws by any means necessary
- Secure the immediate release and safety of all Palestinians who have been abducted and held captive by Israel, including those whose indefinite detention began prior to 10/7
- Permanently end all monetary, diplomatic, and military aid given to Israel and enforce Leahy Law
- Reallocate all funds given to Israel and commit additional resources for ongoing humanitarian relief for Palestinians starting with immediately resume funding of UNRWA
- 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
- Pass legislation that voids all anti-BDS laws at the federal level
- Restore my right to free speech and the freedom of the press by condemning all discrimination or harassment for criticizing any government or political ideology (including zionism) and by doing everything possible to prevent future assaults to my rights, including governmental control and/or censorship of the Internet
