UN expert calls for arms embargo - Permanent Ceasefire NOW

From Reuters on March 26: A United Nations expert told the global body's Human Rights Council on Tuesday that she believed that Israel's military campaign in Gaza since Oct. 7 amounted to genocide and called on countries to immediately impose sanctions and an arms embargo. "It is my solemn duty to report on the worst of what humanity is capable of and to present my findings," Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Territories, told the U.N. rights body in Geneva, presenting a report called "The Anatomy of a Genocide". Israel has killed over 32,000 Palestinians and wounded over 74,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. U.S. made weapons are killing entire families in Gaza. Our tax dollars are directly funding this genocide. Israel continues to use starvation as a weapon and now there are reports of children dying from malnutrition. Israel has prevented Palestinians’ access to aid and actively killed civilians. President Biden continues to supply and fund Israel while knowing since October 2023 that Israel has been targeting civilians. This is continued participation in this genocide and a violation of Leahy law, which prohibits our government from funding foreign forces who are implicated in gross human rights violations. Global human rights organizations have repeatedly reported on Israel’s gross human rights violations and war crimes, including targeting hospitals and healthcare workers, targeting journalists and civilians, using starvation as a weapon, etc. As people of conscience, we will not ignore this. I support a ceasefire, along with 78 Congressmembers (as of March 15). The majority of Americans - including 77% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans - support a permanent ceasefire (Data for Progress, February 2024 report). We are paying attention to representatives who publicly call for a permanent ceasefire and ensure UNWRA aid, which will shape the 2024 elections. I want you to cosponsor HR 786 by Rep Bush. I am demanding you to take immediate steps to deescalate violence in Gaza and Israel by calling for 1) a total and permanent ceasefire, 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 UNRWA funding. A permanent ceasefire is an absolutely critical step to ensuring everlasting liberation and peace. The ICJ 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.