ACTION ALERT: Contact Congress to Exert Pressure On Israel to Stop Civilian Attacks
March 06, 2008
In the wake of at least 120 Palestinian deaths last week as part of the latest Israeli "incursion," the Muslim Public Affairs Council today urged Americans of all backgrounds to immediately contact members of Congress to demand that Israel halt its brutal round of violence against the citizens of Gaza.
SEE: "Picking Up Pieces, Gazans Debate Israeli Incursion" (New York Times, 3/6/08)
"Since Israel is a key American ally in the region, elected officials claiming to support our national interests have a moral obligation to say, 'Stop the violence. Now'," said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "Security and dignity are intrinsic rights for all people, and Palestinians deserve to enjoy the same intrinsic rights as all other people."
Due to the recent situation in Jerusalem where 7 people have been killed, MPAC strongly condemns this incident and all forms of violence regardless of the background of the culprits or the victims. Experts in the region are asserting that what happened in Jerusalem today was retaliation for the killing of over 120 pals in Gaza last week. Whether true or not, it is the U.S. government's responsibility to assert its leadership role in ending the violence now.
MPAC provides the following sample letter, which can be modified and sent to Senator Biden (D-DE), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by clicking here or by calling (202) 224-5042. MPAC also urges you to send a copy of this letter to the member of Congress from your state. To find out who your members of Congress are, click here. Please "cc" contact@mpac.org on your correspondence so that MPAC staff can follow-up with those members of Congress about this issue.
Dear Senator Biden:
I am writing to you to address my concerns regarding the crisis situation in Gaza. I strongly condemn and abhor all acts of violence towards civilian populations, and urge my government to take immediate action to stop this horrific violence.
Israel's military incursion in Gaza constitutes an act of collective punishment, and has resulted in more than 120 Palestinian deaths, including at least 54 civilians, of which 26 were children. Israel's disproportionate use of violence with our tax dollars and callus disregard for the security of civilian populations constitutes a violation of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits the use of U.S. weapons against civilian populations.
As the Chariman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I implore you to do everything in your power to protect the lives of civilian populations in the Palestinian Territories. I urge you to:
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Implement the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits foreign governments who receive weapons from the United States from using those weapons against civilians.
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Call for an immediate ceasefire between Hamas and the Israeli Defense Forces.
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Support an end to the blockade on Gaza, which is further escalating the humanitarian crisis. 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing highly limited access to fuel, health care and medical supplies, food, water, and other essential supplies.
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Provide humanitarian relief and assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
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Meet with the Muslim Public Affairs Council and other Muslim organizations to further discuss the crisis in Gaza, and what we can do as Americans.
The image of the United States in the Muslim world hinges on its treatment of the Palestinians, who are suffering under a brutal occupation deemed illegal by the United Nations and international community.
The American Muslim community eagerly awaits your leadership regarding this matter. I look forward to your response.
Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.
