WELCOME TO THE PALESTINE TEMPLATE TOOLKIT

This document contains templates for letters to US, UK, & Canadian politicians, media outlets, and companies in relation to current events in Palestine as well as petitions & other resources. Please select a template, edit it to your preference and send according to the instructions on the relevant page.

Remember that a lot of people care about the issue but don’t know how to act! So be creative with how you share this resource, and reach out to those not on social media, such as older family & friends who might be able to help by circulating this via email.

Note: Personalising the templates to avoid them being filtered out is ideal. If not, sending a letter is better than not doing so!

Avoiding Censorship: We have recently been presented with increasing evidence that social media platforms are 'shadow-banning' content on this topic, meaning that sharing these posts - especially when done by influencers - reaches a much smaller audience than it normally would. To make sure we can get around this, please consider sharing these templates on private message and in group chats, on mailing lists and on email, and in person via the QR code leaflet below.

Anti-Semitism is NOT welcome: If you are co-opting the pro-Palestinian liberation movement for anti-Semitic purposes, you are not welcome. Please do not use any of our tools, and leave this document immediately. Anti-Semitism has no home in this movement for Palestinian human rights and freedom.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

LETTER TEMPLATES TO POLITICIANS (UK, US & Canada) 3

UK Politicians 3

Automated emails 3

Letter to your MP #1 (updated with reference to Silwan) 3

Letter to your MP #2 (post ceasefire updated) 4

Letter to Lords 4

Contact your US Representatives & Government Officials 5

Automated emails, letters, and calls: 5

Letter template for your representative to send manually: 6

Lobby your local US elected officials on social media: 7

Canadian Politicians 7

Automated email to your local MP and Canadian government officials: 7

Letter template for your local MP and Canadian government officials to send manually: 8

LETTER TEMPLATES TO YOUR UNIVERSITY 10

Letter to your University Vice Chancellor 10

LETTER TEMPLATES TO NEWS OUTLETS/PAPERS (UK) 11

Template for BBC 11

Template #2 for BBC 11

Letter to Sky News 12

Letter to New York Times 13

The Telegraph 15

Express 16

LETTER TEMPLATES TO COMPANIES (International) 17

Ben & Jerry’s Boycott 17

Booking.com Boycott 17

Supermarket Boycott 22

PETITIONS TO SIGN 24

International petitions 24

U.S. specific 24

Canada 24

U.K. specific 24

Want to get more involved? See below for information on the BDS movement: 24

RESOURCES 25

LETTER TEMPLATES TO POLITICIANS (UK, US & Canada)

UK Politicians

Watch the UK Parliament debate relating to petitions calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine and introduction of sanctions against Israel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTQbtpYkZJM

Automated emails

Friends of Al-Apsa (FOA): letter writing tool for your MP to condemn demolition of homes in Silwan

Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA): letter writing tool for your MP to condemn attacks on Al-Aqsa

Letter to your MP #1 (updated with reference to Silwan)

Submit here: https://www.writetothem.com/

NOTE: please personalise to stop these being filtered out!!!

Dear (insert MP name),

I wanted to reach out as a concerned constituent living in (insert constituency) regarding the situation unfolding in Palestine. (explain why you care here, which will help customise the template to avoid it being filtered)

Firstly, I am deeply concerned regarding the forced evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and the demolitions in Silwan. Here is an analysis of how this is a violation of international law taken from the UN: "In many cases in East Jerusalem, including in Sheikh Jarrah, the forced eviction of Palestinians is occurring within the context of Israeli settlement construction and expansion, illegal under international humanitarian law. Some of these are based on pre-1948 claims, while Palestine refugees are discriminatorily banned from reclaiming their properties/homes lost in West Jerusalem in 1948. However, under international law, an occupying power is obligated to respect the laws in force of the occupied territory, unless absolutely prevented. Claims brought by Israeli settler organisations following Israel’s occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem, are disputed."

Secondly, I am deeply concerned regarding the disproportionate response that the IDF has taken in Gaza. Given that Palestinians are under military occupation, have no air force (rockets do not constitute an air force), that the Gaza Strip has been under blockade and siege for over a decade, and 40% of its inhabitants are food insecure - this cannot be called a proportionate response.

Thirdly, I am dismayed that the UK government's only reference has been on the 11th May in the Queen's Speech to imply that it will bill pledges to stop public bodies 'imposing their own approach or views about international relations'. This will greatly harm international civil rights movements such as the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement that are so key in ensuring Palestinians' rights.

My requests are as such: (1) The UK government, as a 'strategic partner' of the Israeli government, should lobby its government to stop the forced evictions and demolitions - which are violations of international law (2) The UK government should continue to allow councils, public organisations, and the like to boycott, divest, and sanction bodies as they see fit. I would also like to know what Dominic Raab intends to do in order to protect Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank. (3) The UK government should cease all trade and aid with Israel until it stops using these resources to further criminalise Palestinians.

On the 14th of June 2021 parliament debated sanctions on the Israeli government and formal recognition of the state of Palestine, the result of hundreds of thousands of calls for justice from British citizens, however, further action is needed. Please use your powers and influence to stand against the oppression and occupation of Palestine.

Yours sincerely,

Your name

Letter to your MP #2 (post ceasefire updated)

Dear (insert MP name)

I'm writing to you today regarding the humanitarian crisis that has been unfolding in Palestine for decades. (explain why you care here, which will help customise the template to avoid it being filtered)

Even though a ceasefire has been called, there is continued oppression of Palestinians. The UK cannot remain silent on this - we are far too complicit, from the Balfour Declaration, to our 'strategic alliance' with the Israeli government for decades, to the sale of military equipment.

As such I am asking for the following steps to be taken as a matter of urgency:

(1) Cessation of sales of arms as a matter of urgency

(2) Sanctions being placed upon the government of Israel in accordance with their human rights violations

(3) The UK government to lobby for the State of Palestine to member status in the UN, as opposed to non-member observer status

(4) The British government to lobby the ICC to open a further investigation into the Israeli government's war crimes in 2021

(5) The UK government to cease pursuing any pledges to stop public bodies from 'imposing their own approach or views about international relations'

Yours sincerely,

Your name

Letter to Lords

Lords to write to: Lord (Raymond) Hylton, Baroness Tonge, Lord Howell of Guildford, Lord McAvoy, Lord Wallace of Saltaire, Baroness Northover

Search here for more Lords to write to: https://www.writetothem.com/lords

Dear (insert full name of Lord/Baroness etc.),

I wanted to reach out as a concerned citizen regarding the situation unfolding in Palestine.

Firstly, I am deeply concerned regarding the forced evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and demolitions in Silwan. Here is an analysis of how this is a violation of international law taken from the UN: "In many cases in East Jerusalem, including in Sheikh Jarrah, the forced eviction of Palestinians is occurring within the context of Israeli settlement construction and expansion, illegal under international humanitarian law. Some of these are based on pre-1948 claims, while Palestine refugees are discriminatorily banned from reclaiming their properties/homes lost in West Jerusalem in 1948. However, under international law, an occupying power is obligated to respect the laws in force of the occupied territory, unless absolutely prevented. Claims brought by Israeli settler organisations following Israel’s occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem, are disputed.”

Thirdly, I am dismayed at the UK government's plans (laid out in the recent Queen’s speech) to stop public bodies 'imposing their own approach or views about international relations'. This will greatly harm international civil rights movements such as the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement that are so key in ensuring Palestinians' rights.

My requests are as such: (1) Call for the UK government, as a 'strategic partner' of Israel, to lobby the Israeli government to stop the forced evictions and demolitions - which are violations of international law (2) Encourage the UK government to continue to allow councils, public organisations, and the like to boycott, divest, and sanction bodies as they see fit. (3) Call for the UK government to cease all trade and aid with Israel until it stops using these resources to further criminalise Palestinians.

Please use your powers and influence to stand against oppression and occupation.

Yours sincerely,

Your name

Contact your US Representatives & Government Officials

Automated emails, letters, and calls:

1) US Campaign for Palestinian Rights “Rise Up with Palestine” Campaign to Tell Congress to Sanction Israeli Apartheid: Demand that Congress center those most harmed by violence and oppression—the Palestinian people— and support their right to resist Israel's ethnic cleansing. Answer their demands for freedom, justice, and safety.

Just click here, enter your information (name/zip code), and an automated email is populated for your elected US representatives. Try to change some of the text to avoid being filtered out as spam.

2) Amnesty International’s call to Secretary of State Blinken to end the violence in occupied Palestinian Territories: The international community, especially Israel’s close allies like the USA, have a responsibility to pressure the Israeli forces to end and redress its systematic violations against Palestinians. Let the US’s top foreign diplomat know this can no longer continue.

Just click here, enter your information, and an automated message will pop up to send to Secretary Blinken. Try to change some of the text to avoid being filtered out as spam.

3) Jewish Voice for Peace’s US representative automated call system with script: Our government is guilty and implicated in all the horrors we are currently witnessing and we need to speak out now.

Just click here, enter your information (name/zip code/phone) and press “Call Me”. You will receive a phone call on the number you provided and be patched through to your representatives. There are numerous scripts provided for different elected officials depending on their stance on Israel. After you deliver a message, press * (star) to be connected to your next representative, until you've called all three representatives. If you don't get through, please leave a voicemail. No prior knowledge is required as JVP will tell you where your representative stands before each call!

4) Tell Congress: Stop Weapons sales to Israel now: Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Mark Pocan are getting ready to introduce a House Joint Resolution to block Biden's proposed sale of $735 million in U.S. weapons to Israel. We need to move fast to get as many original cosponsors on this as possible.

Just click here, enter your information (name/zip code/phone). Press “Call Me” and you will receive a phone call on the number you provided and be patched through to your representative. If you don't get through, please leave a voicemail. No prior knowledge is required as JVP will tell you where your representative stands before each call.

Letter template for your representative to send manually:

Step 1: Find your representative and their contacts at this link.

Step 2: Send them a letter using this pre-written template demanding support around H.R.2590, please change the text slightly to avoid being filtered out of their system.

Dear (name of Representative)

As a constituent and a supporter of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, I am writing to ask that you become a co-sponsor of H.R. 2590 Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, introduced by Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN).

This bill will ensure that my taxpayer dollars do not fund the Israeli government’s imprisonment and torture of Palestinian children, the theft and destruction of Palestinian homes and property, or further annexation of Palestinian land in violation of international law.

Opposing human rights violations without demanding accountability enables further abuses. This act puts people first and promotes human rights, provides needed government accountability, and helps create the conditions for a just and lasting peace.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed systemic injustices across the globe, intensifying the harms of state violence and discrimination - Israel is no exception. During the pandemic, the Israeli government has continued to imprison Palestinian children under a military court system, putting them in grave danger of contracting COVID and separating them from their families. Horrifyingly, at a time when we are all asked to stay at home, the Israeli government has actually increased the rate at which it is demolishing Palestinian homes. The pandemic has made it painfully clear that governments should invest in healthcare and social services, not harm. The U.S. must stop funding the Israeli government’s human rights abuses.

I hope that you will add your name to this legislation and take a stand for human rights.

Kind Regards,

Your name

Lobby your local US elected officials on social media:

Local US elected officials should be made to publicly answer for how much of your local tax dollars contribute to Israel's military aid. “U.S. taxpayers will give Israel a total of $38 billion of weapons over ten years ($3.8 billion each year from 2019 to 2028), according to a 2016 agreement between the two countries. The Israeli government uses these weapons, in violation of U.S. laws, to commit human rights abuses against Palestinians living under its brutal, 50+ year military occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. These include injuring and killing Palestinians, detaining and abusing children, demolishing homes, uprooting agriculture, and denying freedom of movement and expression.”

Just click here, and enter your zip code into the interactive map. It will show how much of this annual $3.8 billion allocation do people in your state, congressional district, county, and city provide. And then it will tell you what that money could have been better spent on for actual local community needs. It will then produce an infographic you can then Tweet @ your local officials. Here is an example of the infographic for DC’s local taxpayers:

To find your State Governor's Twitter handles check here or here. To find your City Mayor’s Twitter handles check here.

Canadian Politicians

Automated email to your local MP and Canadian government officials:

1) Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) "Stand with Palestinians in Gaza and Jerusalem" Campaign: Israel's renewed violence comes only weeks after the international group Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report accusing the Israeli government of the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution. Join human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch, and tell Canadian political leaders, "Enough is enough!" Canada must insist on an end to Israel's crimes and brutality.

Just click here, enter your information (name/postal code) to send an automated email to the Prime Minister, your local MP, and other federal political leaders. Try to change some of the text to avoid being filtered out as spam.

Stand with Gaza and Jerusalem, end Apartheid in Israel.

2) Independent Jewish Voices (IJV): End Israeli Aggression in Jerusalem and Gaza: Help us ramp up the pressure on the Trudeau government to stop Israeli aggression and war crimes. Send an email to Prime Minister Trudeau and Foreign Minister Garneau here, demanding that the Canadian government forcefully condemn Israel’s actions and follow its words up with consequences, including sanctions.

Letter template for your local MP and Canadian government officials to send manually:

It is beneficial to send emails manually so you can CC other elected and appointed officials. A standard CC list is included below.

Email Canadian politicians now to let them know that they are complicit in Israel's egregious crimes against the Palestinian people by staying silent over what's happening right now in Sheikh Jarrah. Below is the email template, email addresses, and the link to find your local MP's email address. Created by allies at Palestine Solidarity Collective at York University.

Email addresses of Canadian Party leaders & appointed ministers:

- Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca; pm@pm.gc.ca

- Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland: Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca

- Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra: Omar.Alghabra@parl.gc.ca

- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marc Garneau: Marc.Garneau@parl.gc.ca

- Minister of International Trade, Mary Ng: Mary.Ng@parl.gc.ca

- Minister of Justice, David Lametti: David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca

- Leader of the NDP, Jagmeet Singh: Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca

The email should have a primary recipient, your MP: Find your local Member of Parliament at this link.

When emailing your MP, consider including this standard CC list:

- The Hon Michael Chong, Conservative Party of Canada: Michael.Chong@parl.gc.ca

- Jack Harris, New Democratic Party: Jack.Harris@parl.gc.ca

- Sai Rajagopal, Green Party of Canada: sai.rajagopal@greenparty.ca

- Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc Québécois: Stéphane.Bergeron@parl.gc.ca

- Vincent Garneau, Chief of Staff, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Global Affairs Canada: Vincent.Garneau@international.gc.ca

- Rob Oliphant, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Rob.Oliphant@parl.gc.ca

- Iqra Khalid, Chair, Standing Committee of Justice and Human Rights: Iqra.Khalid@parl.gc.ca

- Randall Garrison, NDP Justice Critic: Randall.Garrison@parl.gc.ca

- The Honourable Rob Moore, Conservative Justice Critic: Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca

- Rhéal Fortin, Bloc Québecois Justice Critic: Rheal.Fortin@parl.gc.ca

- Troy Lulashnyk, Director, Middle East & the Maghreb, Global Affairs Canada: Troy.Lulashnyk@international.gc.ca

SUBJECT: SAVE SHEIKH JARRAH, SANCTION ISRAEL

Dear (insert MP/Official’s name),

I am concerned about Canada’s silence regarding the Israeli government’s assault on Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, East Jerusalem. Recently, a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report found the Israeli forces guilty of 'crimes against humanity of apartheid, persecution.’ HRW is a major human rights organization that is heavily relied upon and cited in speeches, tweets, and press releases by successive Canadian governments, to condemn human rights abuses of China, Russia, and other states. Yet, HRW is completely disregarded and ignored, by the Canadian government, once it condemns the Israeli government for committing crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people.

On May 2, 2021, the Israeli Supreme Court responded to an appeal from the residents of Sheikh Jarrah who had been handed an unjust eviction order last fall by the Jerusalem District Court. The Supreme Court told the residents to come up with an agreement with the settlers who are forcing them out of their homes. Since then, far right-wing Israeli settler groups have marched through Jerusalem’s streets chanting “Death to Arabs” and have assaulted Palestinian youth. Now, Israeli military forces have invaded Palestinian homes, assaulted residents, including women and elders, and arrested Palestinian youth for defending the homes of their families. On Thursday May 6, a Palestinian was stabbed by an Israeli settler and homes continue to be invaded.

According to the Government of Canada’s website, “Canada does not recognize Israel's unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem.” Under international law, settlement building in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights are a violation of international law. On May 6, 2021, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, released a joint statement telling the Israeli government to “cease its policy of settlement expansion across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”

As a Canadian, I do not feel safe knowing that my government is silent to Israel’s attacks on Palestinians. In fact, I feel that by being silent, my government is complicit in supporting the Israeli regime's slaughter of unarmed Palestinians. Canada likes to boast itself as a global humanitarian leader, one that is tolerant of people with different religions and backgrounds. However, Canada’s failure to land a UN Security Council seat shows that the international community does not share Canada’s views of itself. Instead, Canada has become a breeding ground for people with anti-Arab and Islamophobic sentiments, and our government nourishes these sentiments with its support for an anti-Arab, Islamophobic, and apartheid regime.

I urge you to condemn Israel’s assault on Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and to condemn its crimes against humanity across all of Palestine. Furthermore, I urge you to sanction the Israeli government by ending Canada’s free trade agreement and ending all trade with the apartheid state, until it complies with international law. I look forward to hearing from you and to seeing your response to the current events. Canadians and the international community are carefully watching Canada’s response to the events in Sheikh Jarrah.

Sincerely,

Your name

LETTER TEMPLATES TO YOUR UNIVERSITY

Letter to your University Vice Chancellor

Click the link to see if your uni is complicit and how much they have invested https://www.palestinecampaign.org/university-complicity-database/

Dear (Vice Chancellor of your University),

I am writing to you as a (former/current) student at (University name) regarding the conflict and violence that is unfolding in Palestine. As a result, I have felt inclined to question where my own actions and consumer choices may be fuelling this violence.

Firstly, I am deeply concerned by the evictions that are happening in Sheikh Jarrah and demolitions in Silwan which are an international violation of human rights according to the UN: "In many cases in East Jerusalem, including in Sheikh Jarrah, the forced eviction of Palestinians is occurring within the context of Israeli settlement construction and expansion, illegal under international humanitarian law. Some of these are based on pre-1948 claims, while Palestine refugees are discriminatorily banned from reclaiming their properties/homes lost in West Jerusalem in 1948. However, under international law, an occupying power is obligated to respect the laws in force of the occupied territory, unless absolutely prevented. Claims brought by Israeli settler organisations following Israel’s occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem, are disputed." Secondly, I am deeply concerned regarding the disproportionate response that the IDF has taken in Gaza. Given that Palestinians are under military occupation, have no air force (rockets do not constitute an air force), that the Gaza Strip has been under blockade and siege for over a decade, and 40% of its inhabitants are food insecure.

I would like to emphasise that as an educational institution you have a duty to safeguard all individuals that exchange with your institution. Consequently, you have the obligation to protect not only those directly within your institution, but also individuals internationally which are impacted as a result of your actions. In particular, I am troubled by your impact in investing in Israeli companies linked to human rights abuses in Palestine.

In 2020, it was found by The Palestine Solidarity Campaign that over 100 UK universities invest in Israeli companies linked to violations of international law. As a student who is greatly concerned by the violence that is being inflicted upon Palestinians, I am dismayed and greatly disappointed to find that your institution is subsidising this violence through financial investments in such companies. In regard to this, I am demanding that you take the steps to divest and boycott from Israeli companies that are fuelling this harm. I would like to further query what investment policies your institution will employ, in order to protect Palestinians in both the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank?

I am acutely aware that you may respond saying an ethical investment policy is not possible, therefore I would like to highlight to you that last year Manchester University committed to divesting from firms involved in the Israeli arms trade. I would therefore like to stress that you should reconsider your investment in companies that facilitate illegal settlements. In light of the shelling of Gaza, the forced displacement of those in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, and Human Rights Watch describing Israel as an apartheid state, I hope you will come out on the right side of history.

The Freedom of Information Act allows me to question where my fees are being spent as a fee-paying customer of your university, who is deeply concerned by the human rights violations being inflicted upon Palestinians. I look forward to hearing back from you soon and seeing your university take active steps to divest from Israeli companies fuelling human rights abuses in Palestine.

Kind regards,

Your name

LETTER TEMPLATES TO NEWS OUTLETS/PAPERS (UK)

Template for BBC

Submit a complaint here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen.

I have found the recent coverage of Israel/Palestine very one-sided. In the first line, 'exchange of fire' is not accurate - Gaza is under siege, blockade, and occupation with 40% of the population food insecure, and has no air-force. This cannot be described as an 'exchange.'

In the second line, you say that 'more than 1,000 rockets have now been fired by Palestinian militants' before even mentioning Israel's actions which have caused far more fatalities. It also gives the impression that 1,000 rockets have landed in Israel which, as you note later in the article, is not the case.

You then dedicate the majority of the article describing the rockets 'streaking through the night sky' - most of which, as you yourself note, did not end up landing in Israel. There is very little focus on the widespread damage in Gaza.

You also attempt to justify the destruction of two residential tower blocks by saying that 'residents have been warned to evacuate the buildings before the fighter jets attacked' - and you do not mention that attacking residential tower blocks is a violation of international law.

In the section of the article entitled 'State of emergency', you then go onto speak about how 'the violence caused [...] Netanyahu to declare (sic) a state of emergency' - which implies that protestors throwing rocks at police was the cause of this state of emergency. You do not care to mention how police responding with stun grenades was clearly a disproportionate response.

Even a short analysis of those quoted in your article is concerning - the vast majority are from pro-Israeli sources.

I would expect much better of the BBC.

Kind regards,

Your name

Note: This is the article this letter is about: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-57083595

Template #2 for BBC

Submit a complaint here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you today to express my dismay with recent coverage on Israel/Palestine.

Firstly, you say that historical Palestine (i.e. Palestine under the British mandate) was the 'ancestral home' of Jews whilst 'Palestinian Arabs also claimed the land'. A much more accurate way of depicting this would be to say that Palestinian Arabs were the majority population, had land tenure, lived on the land for centuries, governed the land, and Jews had a claim that was based on the Torah and recent waves of migration.

You then go on to obscure the fact that the vast majority of Israel's actions have been against international law. For example, you say that 'Most Palestinian refugees and their descendants live in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as in neighbouring Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Neither they nor their descendants have been allowed by Israel to return to their homes - the Israeli government says this would overwhelm the country and threaten its existence as a Jewish state.' You do mention that this is contrary to international law and the right to return laid out in Resolution 194 of the UN General Assembly.

You then write: 'Israel has built settlements [...] Palestinians say these are illegal under international law and are obstacles to peace, but Israel denies this.' The fact is that settlements are illegal under international law and are recognised as such by every country in the world barring the US and Israel. I refer you to the Charter of the United Nations and the 1998 Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court that make clear that settlements are a clear violation of international law.

You then go onto say that 'Gaza is ruled by a Palestinian militant group called Hamas, which has fought Israel many times', which implies Hamas is instigator and the Israeli armed forces is defending itself. Given that Gaza lives under blockade, siege, 40% of people are food insecure, it has no airforce or army I struggle to see how this is the case.

Regards,

Your name

Note: This is the article this letter is about: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-44124396

Letter to Sky News

Send to: news@sky.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write to you regarding the recent coverage of the Israel/Palestine conflict in your article at the following link: https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-pm-netanyahu-hamas-will-pay-heavy-price-as-violence-continues-12303987

First of all, the subtitle of the article implies that it is Hamas who is the instigator. Given that the Gaza Strip has no army, no airforce, 40% of people are food insecure, and Gazans live under blockade, siege, and occupation by Israel, I struggle to understand how this is the case.

You also imply that it was the 'barrages of rockets' that 'streamed out of Gaza' that started the violence, when it has been the use of stun grenades in response to largely peaceful protestors, and the forced displacement of individuals living in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

I refer you to why the latter is a violation of international law taken from the UN: "In many cases in East Jerusalem, including in Sheikh Jarrah, the forced eviction of Palestinians is occurring within the context of Israeli settlement construction and expansion, illegal under international humanitarian law. Some of these are based on pre-1948 claims, while Palestine refugees are discriminatorily banned from reclaiming their properties/homes lost in West Jerusalem in 1948. However, under international law, an occupying power is obligated to respect the laws in force of the occupied territory, unless absolutely prevented. Claims brought by Israeli settler organisations following Israel’s occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem, are disputed."

You then go on to justify why the IDF flattened two residential blocks, by saying that they were allegedly used as a Hamas operations and intelligence centre. You do not say that this is a violation of international law.

At all points you support the Israeli government in eluding responsibility for the casualties. Your caption of the video 'Teargas and stun grenades in Al Aqsa mosque' does not say who - namely, the IDF - fired these weapons.

There are also numerous errors. The Al-Aqsa mosque is not the 'holiest site in Judaism' - it is the Temple Mount upon which the mosque is located that is. By making it sound like the mosque is the holiest site in Judaism, you do not show what an abhorrent act of aggression so close to Eid it was to attack the mosque.

Furthermore, as noted above, the matter of Sheikh Jarrah is not a court battle but rather is a violation of international law.

I request that you please remedy these errors and seek to ensure that your reporting is more unbiased in future.

Regards,

Your name

Letter to New York Times

Send to: nytnews@nytimes.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you today to express my dismay with recent coverage on Israel/Palestine.

Firstly, you claim in your subheading that Israel is “fighting militants on its southern flank as it sought to head off its worst civil unrest in decades”. This implies that Hamas is the instigator and Israel is defending itself. Given that Gaza lives under blockade, siege, 40% of people are food insecure, it has no airforce or army I struggle to see how this is the case. “Civil unrest” inaccurately represents this violence as the responsibility of the citizens despite the IDF having killed over 200 Gazan citizens so far including over 40 children.

You state that “Palestinian militants fired suprisingly large barrages of enhanced-range rockets - some 1,800 in three days - that reached far into Israel” before making a far less specific reference to Israel’s “campaign of relentless airstrikes against Hamas”. This gives the impression that all rockets from Hamas landed in Israel which is simply not the case. The failure to mention that Israeli airstrikes have struck UN headquarters and two UN schools - where you point out that Gazan residents were attempting to take refuge - is conspicuous.

Throughout your article you attribute civilian violence to “Arabs” or “Arab youths” and yet only to Jewish “extremists” or “vigilantes”. This obscures the role that the IDF and by association the Israeli Government are playing in this violence. This language attempts to paint Israeli participation as anomalous yet homogenised all Palestinians as initiating vigilantism. You also state that the street violence was initiated by Arabs and Jewish vigilantes “counterattacked” which again is grossly inaccurate.

You then go on to justify why the IDF flattened two residential blocks, by saying that they were allegedly used for “Hamas operations”. You do not say that this is a violation of international law.

Regards,

Your name

Note: This is the article this letter is about: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-hamas-war.html

The Telegraph

Fill out the form here and select ‘accuracy’ in reference to what you are complaining about: The Telegraph Editorial complaints.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you today to express my dismay with recent coverage on Israel/Palestine. This letter is in reference to this article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/14/israel-palestine-conflict-fighting-gaza-jerusalem/?fbclid=IwAR0-MnJG1Nuwyg_3Sq1mw3ehWkj-MGOlMUSjsAmpRDLWcN36VX7nVICLjYE

You describe the upcoming eviction of Sheikh Jarrah but fail to detail how it violates international law, I refer you to the Charter of the United Nations and the 1998 Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court. These settlements are illegal under international law and are recognised as such by all states except Israel and the US. You also fail to mention the violence that the peaceful demonstrations against the evictions of Sheikh Jarrah were met with by Israeli forces and settlers.

You describe the violent attack on Al-Aqsa mosque as “clashes” suggesting a two way exchange. In fact, Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa, wounding an estimated 1,000 Palestinian worshippers with stun guns, rubber coated steel bullets and tear gas. It was not a clash but an attack on peaceful worshippers.

Under the section “What has happened so far?” you begin by stating “Since Monday Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups fired over 1,000 rockets towards Israel, targeting civilian centres”. By stating this first it misrepresents the sequences of events, with the attack on Al-Aqsa and attempted forced evictions missing from the timeline. Israel responded to Hamas rockets with overwhelming force.

Throughout the article you refer to the conflict between Israel and Gaza. Given that the Gaza Strip has no army, no airforce, 40% of people are food insecure, and Gazans live under blockade, siege, and occupation by Israel, this misrepresents Israel and Gaza as on equal footing when in reality it is the occupier and the occupied.

The fact is the Israeli forces have killed over 139 Gazan citizens so far including some 40 children so far. Israeli strikes have also hit a UN refugee camp, UN headquarters and two UN schools - places where Gazan residents were attempting to take refuge. Whilst explaining that the damage of Hamas strikes on Israel, you fail to explain fatalities and damage from the bombardment of Israeli strikes on Gaza.

You describe Gaza as a “densely populated” area where “the militants have embedded themselves within civilian populations”. This attempts to justify Isreali killings of civilians. Killing civilians violates international humanitarian law which Israel, as the occupying power, is bound to uphold.

You then state that Israel declared “an anticipated offensive” as “Hamas continued to bombard the Jewish state with rocket fire”. This again is inaccurate and misrepresents the situation suggesting that the Israeli government is acting defensively. The majority of the casualties are Palestinain and most of Hamas’ strikes are not even landing in Israel.

This article presents biased and inaccurate information. I ask you to correct the information and work towards a more unbiased reporting in the future.

Regards,

Your name

Note: This is the article this letter is about: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/15/israel-palestinian-conflict-fighting-why-gaza-jerusalem/

Express

Send to: express.expressletters@reachplc.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you today to express my dismay with recent coverage on Israel/Palestine. This letter is in reference to this article: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1435047/Israel-Palestine-conflict-what-is-happening-in-Israel-right-now-israel-palestine-timeline?fbclid=IwAR0Bn0HBAMODFJRHcd5hMUruQfe3Uh9P6tyCNrZUBEu3fbcq5JzvAyLBsrc

Firstly, your title “what is happening in Israel right now?” as well as your subtitle “the violence in Israel” suggests all the violence is occurring in Israel which is simply not the case. The fact is the Israeli forces has killed over 139 Gazan citizens so far including some 40 children so far.

You also fail to state that Israel occupies Gaza, rather you present the violence as between two equal parties. Palestinians are under military occupation, have no air force (rockets do not constitute an air force), the Gaza Strip has been under blockade and siege for over a decade, and 40% of its inhabitants are food insecure - this is clearly not two equal parties.

In your timeline of events you fail to mention the attempted forced evictions of Sheikh Jarrah and the responding violence from Israeli forces and settlers peaceful demonstrations against this were met with. Currently, over 970 Palestinians, including 424 children in East Jerusalem, are said by the United Nations to be at risk of forced eviction and displacement, to make way for Israeli settlers. These evictions are in violation of international law, I refer you to Article 49 of the Geneva Convention, which Israel is bound to as the occupying power.

In your account of the attack on Al-Aqsa mosque you state “clashes'' and “violence” erupts and state that “more than 200 people are wounded, most of which are Plestinina worshippers, but also include police”. In reality, Israeli forces stormed Al-Alsqa, one of the holiest sites in Islam, and attacked peaceful worshippers with stun guns, rubber coated steel bullets and tear gas injuring an estimated 1,000 Palestinian worshippers.

You state “more than 200 hundred rockets” were fired by “Palestinain militants” but in reality many of Hamas’ rockets did not land in Israel. In response, the Israeli forces have been bombarding Gaza with disproportionate force and has led to over 200 Gazans fatalities. Israeli strikes have hit a UN refugee camp, UN headquarters and two UN schools - places where Gazan residents were attempting to take refuge. The Israeli government has recently stated that they plan to increase airstrikes on Gaza.

Your focus in the entire article is the violence of Hamas on Israel, you state “militants in Gaza revealed they had fired 130 rockets into Israel in response to Israel's airstrike which felled a multi-story tower”. This representation of events presents Israel as passive and in the defensive. The Israeli forces striked two residential towers claiming Hamas militants were inside. Importantly, the killing of civilians in violation of international humanitarian law which Israel, as the occupying state, has a duty to uphold. This fact is completely absent from your article.

This article has numerous errors and presents a very biased account. I ask you to correct the information and work towards a more unbiased reporting in the future.

Regards,

Your name

LETTER TEMPLATES TO COMPANIES (International)

Ben & Jerry’s Boycott

Submit here: https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/contact-us

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am surprised I find myself writing to you since you have spent so much of your organisational energy on social justice issues.

Despite this, you seem to have a large blind-spot when it comes to violations of Palestinians human rights. I am unsure whether this is due to apathy or ignorance, but in either case I will be boycotting you until you reconsider.

Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” It also prohibits the “individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory”. Therefore the settlements in which you operate are a violation of international law. The extensive appropriation of land and the appropriation and destruction of property required to build and expand settlements also breach other rules of international humanitarian law.

I would therefore like to ask you to reconsider your engagement in illegal settlements. You seem entirely unabashed by this, as this coverage would imply: https://icecream.vtjp.org/settlements/

I am aware that over 250 organisations have signed an open letter asking you to reconsider, and I find it shocking that thus far you have not. Nonetheless, in light of the shelling of Gaza, the forced displacement of those in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, and Human Rights Watch describing Israel as an apartheid state, I hope you will come out on the right side of history. Until you do, I will be boycotting your brand.

Regards,

Your name

Booking.com Boycott

Submit here: Booking.com dispute resolution centre

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you concerning your listings of settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

I am unsure whether you are engaging in illegal activities due to ignorance or apathy, but in either case I will be boycotting you until you reconsider removing your 45 hotels in these settlements.

Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies”. It also prohibits the “individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory”. Therefore the settlements in which you operate are a violation of international law.

The extensive appropriation of land and the appropriation and destruction of property required to build and expand settlements also breach other rules of international humanitarian law. Under the Hague Regulations of 1907, the public property of the occupied population (such as lands, forests and agricultural estates) is subject to the laws of usufruct. This means that an occupying state is only allowed a very limited use of this property. This limitation is derived from the notion that occupation is temporary, the core idea of the law of occupation. In the words of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the occupying power “has a duty to ensure the protection, security, and welfare of the people living under occupation and to guarantee that they can live as normal a life as possible, in accordance with their own laws, culture, and traditions”. As the occupier, Israel is therefore forbidden from using state land and natural resources for purposes other than military or security needs or for the benefit of the local population. The unlawful appropriation of property by an occupying power amounts to “pillage”, which is prohibited by both the Hague Regulations and Fourth Geneva Convention and is a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and many national laws.

I would therefore like to ask you to reconsider your engagement in illegal settlements. I am aware that Amnesty International has been campaigning for you to do so for over a year asking you to reconsider, and I find it shocking that thus far you have not. Nonetheless, in light of the shelling of Gaza, the forced displacement of those in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, and Human Rights Watch describing Israel as an apartheid state, I hope you will come out on the right side of history. Until you do, I will be boycotting your brand.

Regards,

Your name

Expedia Boycott

Submit here: https://www.expedia.co.uk/customersupport/feedback (please cite itinerary number 12345678912)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you concerning your listings of settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

I am unsure whether you are engaging in illegal activities due to ignorance or apathy, but in either case I will be boycotting you until you reconsider unlisting your 9 accommodation providers in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

Regards,

Your name

Airbnb Boycott

Submit to Airbnb complaints

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you concerning your listings of settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

You are knowingly engaging in illegal activities by allowing the posting of illegal Israeli settlements on your site. As such, I will be boycotting you until you reconsider removing these 200+ listings.

I know that you are aware of the illegality of the settlements and the violent dispossession that Palestinians have faced in Israel for decades. In Nov 2018, you took a step in the right direction by announcing you were delisting 200 properties in the settlements. Unfortunately, shortly after, you gave in to pressure to reverse the decision. Two years later, Palestinians continue to face oppression, occupation, and forced removal from their homes. Because you choose to greenlight these human rights abuses, I will be boycotting you.

Regards,

Your name

Read about Airbnb’s complicity here:

Their initial statement: https://news.airbnb.com/listings-in-disputed-regions/

Reversal: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47881163

Amnesty late 2020: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/12/airbnb-listing-company-is-deeply-compromised-by-israeli-settlement-properties/

Center for Constitutional Rights: https://ccrjustice.org/home/blog/2019/05/22/three-things-you-should-know-about-airbnb

Victoria’s Secret

Submit here: customerservice@alshaya.com

I write to you today to express my deepest concern with Victoria’s Secrets’ engagement in illegal activities through the company’s cooperation with Delta Galil Industries. Until you have reconsidered your relations with Delta and urged them to disengage with their illegal actions, I will boycott your products.

As you well know, the Occupied Palestinian Territory has been a site for Israeli illegal exploitation of natural resources and land for decades. Your business partner Delta is implicit in this exploitation and listed by the United Nation’s Human Rights Council as an enterprise which is involved in specific activities related to Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. As such, your continued cooperation with Delta can only be understood as a conscious act to violate international law.

In 2016, Human Rights Watch pointed out that Barkan Industrial Park, where Delta runs parts of its business, violate international law (https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/01/19/occupation-inc/how-settlement-businesses-contribute-israels-violations#). Delta also has two shops in the Israeli settlements of Ma’aleh Adumim and Pisgat Ze'ev. Israeli settlements are illegal as they violate laws of occupation:

- Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies”. It also prohibits the “individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory”. Therefore the settlements in which you operate are a violation of international law.

- Article 55 of the Hague Regulations states: “The occupying State shall be regarded only as administrator and usufructuary of public buildings, real estate, forests, and agricultural estates belonging to the hostile State, and situated in the occupied country. It must safeguard the capital of these properties, and administer them in accordance with the rules of usufruct.”

The natural resources that Delta uses for business purposes are de facto considered as a part of Occupied Palestinian Territory. It is as such protected by the rules of usufruct.

In the words of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the occupying power “has a duty to ensure the protection, security, and welfare of the people living under occupation and to guarantee that they can live as normal a life as possible, in accordance with their own laws, culture, and traditions”. As the occupier, Israel is therefore forbidden from using state land and natural resources for purposes other than military or security needs or for the benefit of the local population. The unlawful appropriation of property by an occupying power amounts to “pillage”, which is prohibited by both the Hague Regulations and Fourth Geneva Convention and is a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and many national laws.

It is hence outrageous and utterly despicable that your company doesn’t take human rights and human lives seriously, but instead contributes to feeding a system of oppression. Since you have yet to take responsibility for your actions I can only assume you are comfortable with being associated with other disgraceful actors that ended up on the wrong side of history.

Until you show true dedication to reassessing your engagement in illegal settlements and start demonstrating actual support for human rights through putting pressure on Delta to reconsider their illegal engagements, I will boycott your products.

Regards,

Your name

AHAVA Boycott

Submit complaint here: https://www.ahava.com/contact or https://www.ahava.co.il/contact or email at service@global-e.com

I am writing to you today concerning your production and business activity in the occupied Palestinian territories.

I am shocked and appalled to find that Ahava, a company that sells products in the name of ‘love’, is engaging in activities in 2021 that upholds such a rigorous system of oppression. I will be boycotting your products until you reconsider relocating your industries and cease exploiting natural resources from occupied Palestinian territory.

Your continued cooperation with Israeli settlements such as Mitzpe Shalem and exploitation of occupied natural resources can only be understood as a conscious act to support and legitimise violations of international law. As you well know, Israeli settlements and pillage of natural resources in the West Bank are illegal under international law:

The mud and minerals that you extract from the Dead Sea and use in your products are de facto considered as a part of occupied Palestinian territory. It is as such protected by the rules of usufruct, as Al-Haq pointed out almost a decade ago (https://www.alhaq.org/cached_uploads/download/alhaq_files/publications/Dead-sea-web.pdf). The UN Human Rights Council has reported on this issue as well (https://undocs.org/A/HRC/40/73).

It is outrageous and utterly despicable that your company doesn’t take human rights and human lives seriously, but feeds a system of destruction. Since you have yet to take responsibility for your actions I can only assume you are comfortable with being associated with other disgraceful actors that ended up on the wrong side of history.

Until you show true dedication to reassessing your engagement in illegal settlements and start demonstrating actual support for human rights, I will boycott your products.

Regards,

Your name

Supermarket Boycott

Tesco [Automated Email] - Sabra products, Osem, Yarden, Ben & Jerry’s

Sainsburys [Twitter, Help] - Sabra, Osem, Yarden products, Hadiklaim, Mehadrin, Ben & Jerry’s

Waitrose [Email, Stock Queries] - Sabra, Mehadrin products, Ben & Jerry’s

Ocado [Email: ocado@ocado.com, Automated Email] - Osem Products, Ben & Jerry’s

Morrisons [Automated Email] - Osem, Galilee, Ben & Jerry’s

Asda [Email: customer.services@asda.co.uk, Contacts] - Osem, Galilee, Yarden, Ben & Jerry’s

Aldi [Contacts] - Galilee products

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you concerning products which you carry in your stores that are of Israeli origin, produced by Israeli manufacturers, or that actively support the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Namely, but not limited to: [Modify using above list: Osem Group products such as Yarden Dips and Meats and Sabra Hummus, Galilee fresh produce, Hadiklaim products, Mehadrin Products, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream].

I am unsure whether your decision to carry these products is deliberate or due to a fundamental lack of awareness. Either way, by carrying these products and making a profit from their sale, you are actively endorsing and advancing the systematic oppression, discrimination, and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. As such, I will be boycotting you until you reconsider your position.

Let me make this expressly clear. The International Criminal Court and Human Right’s Watch have found extensive and compelling evidence to suggest that the state of Israel is guilty of perpetrating the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution. By stocking goods produced within Israel and the Occupied Territories, you are implicitly endorsing their actions and agenda, furthering their cause, and are therefore complicit.

For further context:

The Osem Group, majority owned by Nestle, is one of Israel’s largest food manufacturers with factories located across Israel. Osem products include Sabra Hummus and Yarden Dips and Meats.

Sabra Hummus is a joint venture between PepsiCo and the Strauss Group, the second largest Israeli food and beverage company, known to provide direct financial support to the Israeli army.

Ben & Jerry’s is known to have a long-standing contractual relationship with an Israeli franchise that manufactures and sells ice cream in Israel and illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Beyond these aforementioned products, we are aware that you stock a large amount of produce, such as fruits, vegetables, juice, dates, herbs and more, which are grown in Israel and the Occupied Territories. To be clear, Israeli suppliers have a history of mislabelling products that have in fact been produced within illegal Israeli settlements, so as to provide false reassurance as to the provenance of certain products.

We ask that you remove these products from your shelves immediately.

Regards,

Your name

Shortened 1000 character Tesco automated email:

Product Name: Sabra, Osem, Yarden, Ben & Jerry’s products

I am writing to you concerning your products that are of Israeli origin, produced by Israeli manufacturers, or that support the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

By carrying these products and making a profit from their sale, you are actively endorsing and advancing the systematic oppression, discrimination, crimes against humanity, apartheid and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. As such, I will be boycotting you until you reconsider your position.

I am also aware that you stock a large amount of produce, such as fruits, vegetables, juice, dates, herbs etc., which are grown in Israel and the Occupied Territories. Israeli suppliers have a history of mislabelling products that have in fact been produced within illegal Israeli settlements, so as to provide false reassurance as to the provenance of certain products.

Please remove these products from your shelves immediately.