March 2009 Postcard

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DEAR SENATOR:

I want you to know that I strongly disagree with S.Res.10, “recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself” and “reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel,” which passed on Jan. 8 by unanimous consent. S.Res.10 affirmed U.S. support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza and did not address the humanitarian crisis of Palestinians in Gaza.

This resolution didn’t call for an immediate cease-fire or unimpeded humanitarian access to the occupied Gaza Strip, as required under the terms of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1860, which was passed the same day, with 14 in favor, and the U.S. abstaining. S.Res.10 also ignored Israel’s violations of the Arms Export and Control Act (AECA) which requires that U.S. weapons exports be used for internal security and legitimate self-defense, and that their use does not lead to an escalation of conflict. Israel is using U.S. weapons to collectively punish Gazans.

Collective punishment is a war crime.

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Wounded families flee their homes in Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza following an Israeli attack on Jan. 13, 2009. (AFP photo/Yasser Saymeh).

Israel has attacked schools, emergency vehicles, shelters and clinics in Gaza, and prevented medical aid, food, water and electricity from reaching civilians.

The United Nations gave the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) the GSO coordinates of a U.N. school, which was then hit by IDF tank fire, killing 40 civilians seeking shelter inside. The IDF also attacked emergency vehicles—whose coordinates were known to Israel and which bore U.N. flags—killing workers. The IDF evacuated 100 Palestinians to a shelter, then bombed the shelter, killing 30 people. The IDF barred the International Committee of the Red Cross from entering Zaytoun to help victims who had been calling for help for four days. On Jan. 8 Israel finally permitted them to retrieve at least 15 bodies, and several children—emaciated but alive, lying beside their dead mothers. Congress should not support Israel’s illegal and inhumane actions in Gaza. Americans support security and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.