IT’S TIME FOR A PERMANENT CEASEFIRE IN GAZA

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Written By Barbara Isaacman

QUICK READ:  In responding to Hamas’ horrific October 7th attacks, which constituted war crimes and violated international law, Israel had the right to defend itself by going after Hamas. Netanyahu’s right-wing extremist government, however, does not have the right to commit war crimes against the Palestinian people, using US-provided weapons. It’s time for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The continuing carnage must stop.


CONTENTS:

BACKGROUND

Responding to Hamas’ horrific October 7th attacks, resulting in the torture, rape, and mass killings of 1200 and the taking of 240 hostages, Israel, claiming self-defense, launched a massive counterattack on Gaza.

Within hours, it had cut off electricity, water, fuel, and food to 2.2 million (almost half children), and begun bombings, which continue unabated—wounding 60,000+ and killing 24,000 (mostly women and children), destroying neighborhoods, schools, universities, and hospitals, and displacing over 80% of Gazans. 10 Gazan children daily lose at least one limb, one woman or child is killed every 8 minutes, and the resulting widespread famine and disease kills many more. 

This destruction—much done with US-provided arms—has, however, neither destroyed Hamas nor freed the remaining hostages.

Nevertheless, the Administration, ignoring its policies and statutory requirements to vet foreign military aid, continues unconditionally arming Israel—even while Netanyahu rejects Bidens’s pleas to dial back the violence and endorse Palestinian independence.

Our government ignores at its peril that 61% of likely voters (including 40% of GOP) want a permanent ceasefire and the de-escalation of violence—the only way to save lives, free the hostages, and prevent a regional war. It is time for Congress to act.

ACTION One: Call the Senate.

Script for Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Thank you for all you’ve done to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza—demanding a permanent ceasefire, calling for more humanitarian aid, voting for Sander’s resolution, and co-sponsoring Van Hollen’s proposed amendment that would force Israel to adhere to international law to keep getting American military aid. Although it may be lonely, you are pushing the Senate in the right direction (and possibly also Biden). Keep up the good work.

*SEN. WYDEN:* Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for arms that kill Palestinian civilians and make Gaza uninhabitable. I am calling on you to: (1) join Senator Merkley in demanding a permanent ceasefire, which is the only way to get the hostages released, and (2) join 18 of your colleagues in co-sponsoring and urging passage of Sen. Van Hollen’s proposed amendment to the Ukraine-Israel aid package requiring that countries receiving US military aid use it in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

Sens: American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for arms that kill Palestinian civilians and make Gaza uninhabitable—a position held by many of your constituents. I am calling on you to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and support Sen. Van Hollen’s proposed amendment to the Ukraine/Israel funding bill that would force Israel to adhere to international law to keep getting American military aid. A ceasefire is the only way to save lives, free the remaining hostages, and prevent a regional war.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for arms that kill Palestinian civilians and make Gaza uninhabitable. I demand that you add your voice to those of your 65 House colleagues who are calling for a permanent ceasefire and the de-escalation of violence, which is the only way to save lives, free the remaining hostages, and prevent a regional war.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for arms that kill Palestinian civilians and make Gaza uninhabitable. I demand that you add your voice to those of your 65 House colleagues who are calling for a permanent ceasefire and the de-escalation of violence, which is the only way to save lives, free the remaining hostages, and prevent a regional war.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for arms that kill Palestinian civilians and make Gaza uninhabitable. I demand that you add your voice to those of your 65 House colleagues who are calling for a permanent ceasefire and the de-escalation of violence, which is the only way to save lives, free the remaining hostages, and prevent a regional war.

Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for arms that kill Palestinian civilians and make Gaza uninhabitable. I demand that you add your voice to those of your 65 House colleagues who are calling for a permanent ceasefire and the de-escalation of violence, which is the only way to save lives, free the remaining hostages, and prevent a regional war.

Script for Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for arms that kill Palestinian civilians and make Gaza uninhabitable. I demand that you add your voice to those of your 65 House colleagues who are calling for a permanent ceasefire and the de-escalation of violence, which is the only way to save lives, free the remaining hostages, and prevent a regional war.

Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for arms that kill Palestinian civilians and make Gaza uninhabitable. I demand that you add your voice to those of your 65 House colleagues who are calling for a permanent ceasefire and the de-escalation of violence, which is the only way to save lives, free the remaining hostages, and prevent a regional war.

FURTHER READING

Barbara Isaacman
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