JUSTICE FOR JOURNALIST MAHMOUD QASSEM, MURDERED BY ISRAEL FOR REPORTING THE NEWS

Israel disbanding its war cabinet after Gantz and Eisenkot resigned should make it clear to you there has never been an intention to end this "war". The previous job of this cabinet was to meet at least every 48 hours to assess and update military and strategic aims, including planning an end for the "war". Today, 6/17, Israel has intentionally targeted and murdered another journalist in Gaza - Mahmoud Qassem. This is the 151st media worker who has been murdered in Gaza since 10/7. Ever since the number of journalists murdered in conflict zones has been documented in 1992 by the CPJ, there has never been a more deadly place for media workers than Gaza. As of today, the CPJ has been able to investigate the deaths of 3 journalists and proven Israel intentionally targeted and murdered them because of their news reporting. This is just one of the preliminary findings from one reputable organization. Human Rights Watch, among other international human rights organizations, signed a letter to reach out to this administration back in January pleading for decisive action to be taken to hold Israel accountable for the rampant murders of media workers in Gaza. To date, this administration has done nothing but lip service. Mahmoud Qassem should still be with us. His only crime was doing his job. I demand that you:  – Hold Israel accountable for a permanent, immediate ceasefire, their violations of the Genocide Convention, and gross human rights violations by any means necessary – Call for the immediate end of Israel’s occupation and apartheid and support Palestinians in their fight for freedom and peace – 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 resuming 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 – Vote no on H.R. 7521 and any similar legislation proposed