The lethal targeting of journalists reporting on the ongoing war in Gaza by Israeli forces is a flagrant violation of international law and a severe assault on press freedom. The well-documented pattern of extrajudicial killings of members of the press, such as the recent bombing that claimed the lives of Palestinian journalists Ismail al-Ghoul and Rami al-Rifi, is inexcusable. These actions, enabled by the continued flow of American weaponry to Israel, represent a gross violation of human rights and a suppression of the world's right to receive information. We urge you to take immediate action to cease all weapons transfers to Israel. Under U.S. domestic law, the State Department is prohibited from providing assistance to foreign security forces credibly accused of such egregious human rights abuses. Furthermore, by facilitating Israel's violent subjugation of journalism, the U.S. government is actively undermining the principles enshrined in the First Amendment. An arms embargo is a crucial step towards upholding international law, protecting press freedoms, and safeguarding human rights.
