Nakba Day: Block the Bombs, Stop Arming Genocide

Today is Nakba Day, the annual commemoration of the mass dispossession, expulsion, and exile of Palestinians in 1948. Nakba means “catastrophe,” and it is not only history. It is an ongoing structure of displacement, denial of return, apartheid, occupation, siege, and now genocide. In 1948, Palestinian villages and cities were emptied, destroyed, annexed, or erased. Jaffa, once a major Palestinian urban center, was largely depopulated; Palestinians were expelled, their property was seized, and what remained was absorbed into a new political order built on their removal. That history is inseparable from what we are watching in Gaza today: entire families killed, homes and neighborhoods leveled, aid blocked, civilians starved, and Palestinians again told through bombs and policy that they have no right to remain. On Nakba Day, I am demanding action, not statements. Representatives must immediately co-sponsor and fight to pass the Block the Bombs Act, H.R. 3565. Senators must introduce, co-sponsor, and pass a true Senate companion or comparable legislation to block these weapons transfers, and must support every Joint Resolution of Disapproval or other mechanism to stop U.S. bombs, artillery, tank ammunition, JDAMs, bunker busters, small-diameter bombs, and white phosphorus from being sent to Israel. Amnesty International has concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and has documented U.S.-linked weapons used in unlawful attacks and war crimes. Continuing to arm Israel places the United States at serious risk of complicity in genocide and other grave violations of U.S. and international law. Congress cannot claim ignorance. Congress cannot hide behind empty concern while approving or enabling the weapons used to kill, maim, starve, and displace Palestinians. The minimum moral and legal response is an immediate suspension of all U.S. weapons, munitions, military financing, training, and security assistance to Israel. Co-sponsor H.R. 3565. Introduce and co-sponsor a Senate companion. Support every effort to block the bombs. End U.S. complicity. Justice for the Nakba means stopping the ongoing Nakba now.