Statement by CJPIP Steering Committee
We have all been shaken by the horror unleashed in Palestine/Israel. That horror has been magnified by the repugnant framing of the violence in our media and halls of government.
If we are to expand moral condemnation to moral vision, we must be able to hold multiple truths: that the massive killing, wounding, and hostage-taking of civilians in Israel by Hamas AND the annihilation in Gaza of families, homes, hospitals, and schools by Israel - are all war crimes. And we must be willing to recognize the context of colonial oppression, systems of inequality, and decades of occupation and blockade – not to justify violence but to point the way past it.
Our government has fanned the flames of violence by offering unwavering support for Israel in the forms of massive military aid, following a foreign policy that ignores Israel’s blockade of Gaza, and recently voting against a ceasefire resolution in the U.N. Security Council.
In addition, our state and federal governments have failed to support and actively legislated against many forms of nonviolent Palestinian resistance, including: youth-led nonviolent protests; boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaigns; and international civilian humanitarian flotillas attempting to pass through the naval blockade of Gaza.
— CJPIP Steering Committee
We Must Act Now!
With a genocide unfolding we urgently ask that you do what you can when you can and as often as you can. History will judge us by what we do, in this moment. Here are four steps you can take:
Contact Elected Officials/Involve Family and Friends to Call for a Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
Call and email your representatives and demand a ceasefire. Do this daily. Persistence is the name of the game. If you have contacted legislators once, please do it again. They need to know that we are not going away until there is a ceasefire and an end to occupation! These links make it very easy. Add your name to them all and do it often:
Email and text all your friends and family, share the links above and ask them to email and call their representatives.
Deepen Your Education and Keep Informed
Sources of information that provide both necessary context and ongoing coverage including: Al Jazeera, Democracy Now, Mondoweiss, Electronic Intifada, and 972 Magazine.
Show Your Support in the Streets
Attend a rally or protest or vigil. Visit this site to check on protests in your area.
Consider attending the National March on Washington: Free Palestine! Saturday, Nov. 4, 2 PM at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC. This is expected to be a historic march for justice for Palestine, cosponsored by USCPR and other organizations.
Contribute to Urgently Needed Humanitarian Aid
Send direct aid and support for people on the ground through transparent and trustworthy groups, including:
Many Actions Needed
There are many other creative and impactful actions that you can take. For a more complete list, see this page on the CJPIP website.
We take inspiration from long-time CJPIP friend and co-founder of the Jewish Fast for Gaza, Rabbi Brant Rosen, who said in his recent blog post:
“According to the Torah, we must not stand idly by while the blood of our neighbor is being shed. And yet here we are. The world is allowing – if not actively enabling – the mass carnage Israel is inflicting on the people of Gaza.
Please do what you can: contact President Biden, tell Congress, write to the press.
Hit the streets.
Shout it to the world.”