JUSTICE FOR BABY YAQIN AL-ASTAL, MURDERED VIA STARVATION IN GAZA

Today, 9/7, 61 Palestinians have been murdered over the past 48 hours by targeted Israeli attacks throughout Gaza. Yaqin Al-Astal, a baby from Khan Younis, died today due to being starved to death by Israel's total blockade and control of the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Earlier this week the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food advised that by December 2023, Gazans made up 80% of all people in the entire world experiencing famine and catastrophic hunger. We have never seen a group of people experience famine this quickly in modern day. This is not a natural disaster - this is by Israel's intentional design. This man made famine has already been devastating in disproportionally taking the lives of children already. If nothing changes, it will only get worse. Israeli officials have made it beyond clear they intend to further their genocidal campaign throughout all of occupied Palestine. Israel Katz, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, publicly cited the rumor that Iran is trying to establish an "eastern terrorist front" in the West Bank as the reason for the escalating violence and destruction in the West Bank we've seen in recent weeks. He went on to say "We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the [it] in Gaza." The ICJ and ICC have already made it clear Israel is plausibly committing a genocide in Gaza. Our own legal system in the Defense for Children International - Palestine v. Biden case, the judge ruled that Israel was plausibly committing a genocide. This administration's defense to get this case dismissed under "national security" is a disgusting perversion and misuse of what actions to protect us can be. I demand you do everything in your power to: – Hold Israel accountable to a permanent, immediate ceasefire and for their repeat violations of international law – Call for the immediate end of Israel’s occupation and apartheid - Support Palestinians in their fight for freedom and peace – Secure the immediate release and safety of all hostages, including Palestinians held by Israel in "military prisons", including those whose indefinite detention began prior to 10/7 – Permanently end all monetary, diplomatic, and military aid given to Israel and enforce U.S. laws like Leahy Law and the Arms Export Control Act – Resume full funding of UNRWA and allocate more funds to aid humanitarian efforts to rebuild Gaza, and provide Palestinians with the resources to survive and thrive – 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 - Void all anti-BDS laws and other laws that infringe on my right to freedom of speech to criticize any political ideology or country, and to use my money in ways that align with my values