Click here for a version in Arabic / اضغط هنا للحصول على النسخة العربية
Click here for a version in Spanish / Presiona aquí para una versión en español.
Click here for a version in Portuguese / Clique aqui para versão em português
Update: 1/29/25:
As of January 19, 2025, a ceasefire has been declared in Gaza. A ceasefire alone does not end the occupation, apartheid, and systemic violence faced by Palestinians. We continue to call for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, an end to apartheid and occupation, full support for Palestinian self-determination, and the right to return for all Palestinians.
Below is the letter we began circulating in November 2023, and we are still encouraging Somerville residents to sign it as the call for solidarity from those here in Somerville remains as strong and as necessary as ever.
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November, 20th 2023 To: United States Senator Warren and Senator Markey Subject: Ceasefire and Palestinian Solidarity
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“The cries of Palestinian and Israeli children sound no different to me. What I don't understand is why the cries of Palestinian children sound different to you all.” - US Rep. Rashida Tlaib
Dear Senator Warren and Senator Markey,
We are writing today as members of the Somerville community, to call for an immediate end to the Israeli government’s devastating assault against Palestinians trapped in Gaza. We urge you, our Senators, to join the calls for an immediate ceasefire, to rush humanitarian aid, to stop unconditional military aid to Israel, and to hold the Israeli government accountable to international law.
Historically, Palestinians have been systematically subjected to dehumanizing occupation rooted in ethnic cleansing and apartheid. This devastation has come to a head in this ruthless bombardment and siege of Gaza. We are horrified by the loss of Israeli life that occurred on Oct. 7th, 2023, and we are horrified by the brutal occupation and siege laid upon the Palestinian people for decades before and since. Over the past six weeks, the Israeli military has acted with impunity, targeted civilians, cut off water, fuel, and communications to all of Gaza, and bombed refugee camps, hospitals, and schools. Israel has dropped more bombs on Gaza in a month than the U.S. dropped on Afghanistan during the heaviest year of our bombardment. Elected and military leaders in the Israeli government have made public statements consistent with genocidal intent and U.N experts called on the “international community to prevent genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza.” Additionally, Israel has sanctioned raids in the West Bank, where 2023 had already been the deadliest year for Palestinians in over two decades. This combination of deprivation of basic needs, disregard for human rights and international law, and deadly violence against civilians has created a grave humanitarian and moral crisis. To date, over 15,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, nearly half of whom are children. More Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza over the past month than attend the Somerville Public Schools. The U.N. Secretary has called Gaza “a graveyard for children.”
Throughout this attack, the U.S. government has remained supportive of Israel’s actions. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We call upon you to stand up for our shared humanity, and join our call for a ceasefire now.
Sincerely,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/05/israel-strike-targets-gaza-civilians-hamas/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/10/opinion/israel-gaza-genocide-war.html https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/11/gaza-un-experts-call-international-community-prevent-genocide-against https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-west-bank-war-gaza-hamas-settlers-army-raid-militants-c1386ab6a633971cc18b2497169210d3 https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/pressure-israel-over-civilians-steps-up-ceasefire-calls-rebuffed-2023-11-06/
