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Action Alert: Call on Your Representatives to End the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
AAI
Posted on Thursday January 24, 2008
AAI calls on the Arab American community, and all Americans of conscience, to join the international condemnation of the current siege in Gaza. The ongoing blockade began with stifling travel and trade restrictions soon after the 2005 Israeli withdrawal and has now intensified so that the entire Gaza Strip is effectively sealed off.
If we try to find fault for this overall cycle of violence and brutality, sadly, all official parties are to blame. But the tragedy afflicted on the people of Gaza can no longer be ignored. International aid organizations and NGOs have revealed the deplorable and deteriorating humanitarian conditions facing 1.5 million Palestinians, including the near depletion of food, fuel, electricity, access to basic medical care and other necessities.
President George W. Bush witnessed the escalation of this crisis during his visit to Israel and the West Bank less than two weeks ago. The mission of his trip was to bolster the beginning stages of a revived peace process and his encouraging message provided a vision for the state of Palestine that would be “viable, contiguous, sovereign and independent.” Yet, during this current siege the White House is silent and Congress ignores the continued human suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Speaking out on this matter can make a difference and is crucial for saving innocent lives and ensuring progress toward a comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East.
What You Can Do:
- Fax, email or call your member of Congress, urging them to call on the Israeli government to immediately reopen all border crossings to allow for freedom of civilian movement and the delivery of vital supplies; advocate for an international rescue operation to reverse the humanitarian crisis afflicting the people of Gaza.
- Fax, email or call the State Department and White House to take the necessary steps for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and encourage the continuation of efforts to achieve a just, lasting, comprehensive peace between Palestine and Israel.
Contact Information:
Capitol Hill Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Click here to find out who your representative is and how to contact him or her directly.
Sec. of State Comment Line: (202) 647-6575 (phone), (202) 647-5939 (fax)
Sec. of State Email: secretary@state.gov
White House Comment Line: (202) 456-1111
White House Email: president@whitehouse.gov
If you need help taking action, please contact Leigh O’Neill, AAI Government Relations and Policy Analyst, at (202) 429-9210.
