The Biden administration just approved $147.5 million in weapons sales to Israel. This is weeks after the Biden administration bypassed congressional approval to push a $106 million emergency arms sale of about 14,000 tank shells to Israel. And now the White House is separately seeking a $106 billion supplemental funding bill, which would include $14 billion in aid to Israel.
This money has been funding and supporting the ongoing genocide of Palestinians. Since Oct 7, more than 21,000 Palestinian people have been killed by the IDF which is collective punishment and a war crime. The global community recognizes this.
I am asking 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, and 5) no more weapons or funding to the Israeli military. A permanent ceasefire is an absolutely critical step to ensuring everlasting liberation and peace.
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.
We are paying attention to representatives who publicly call for a permanent ceasefire, which will shape the 2024 elections. I support a permanent ceasefire, along with 62 Congressmembers, and 61% of American voters (https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2023/12/5/voters-want-the-us-to-call-for-a-permanent-ceasefire-in-gaza-and-to-prioritize-diplomacy). I'm demanding you publicly call for a permanent ceasefire. U.S. made weapons are killing entire families in Gaza. Our tax dollars are directly funding this genocide. As your office was recently informed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, there is legal liability for aiding and abetting genocide through congressional acts. In a new lawsuit, Palestinians are suing President Biden for participating in this genocide. You must take action now to stop genocide and end all U.S. support in Israel's enactment of this genocide.
