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It is almost too horrible to imagine. On Monday, March 14, Israeli snipers opened fire on unarmed Palestinian protesters in Gaza. At least 52 were killed and over 750 injured from the live fire, which used expanding bullets that collapse bone upon impact. The Israelis also used drones to drench the protesters with tear gas.
Since March 30, Palestinians in Gaza have been peacefully protesting for an end to the 11-year-long siege and the right to return to the lands and villages they were displaced from in 1948. Israel has responded with lethal force, killing over 90 protesters since the start of the demonstrations.
Congress must condemn Israel’s massacres, reaffirm the right of all people to gather in peaceful protest, and demand an end to the siege of Gaza.
Imagine if 52 Israeli peaceful protesters were killed? Or 52 Americans? There would be a massive outcry, nonstop media coverage, and demands to hold the killers accountable. Don’t Palestinian lives have the same value? We think so.
To make this barbaric situation even more horrific, just 60 miles away from Gaza, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, David Friedman and other US officials celebrated the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. The move cements US complicity in Israel’s occupation and its separate and unequal policies.
Since March 30, Palestinians in Gaza have been marching for an end to the 11-year-long siege that cripples every aspect of their lives, and for the right to return to the villages and homes they were displaced from in 1948 when the state of Israel was created. Since 1948, Israel has continued to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their lands and deny their rights.
Palestinians in Gaza have only four hours a day of electricity, and 97% of the water is unfit for human consumption. Hospitals, already crippled by shortages of supplies, are unable to cope with today’s influx of the wounded and dying.
In these incredibly dark times, we must speak up and demand an end to US complicity. Call on your members of Congress. Demand they condemn Israel’s killing of unarmed protesters. All people should have the right to march peacefully for their rights.
