SF: Emergency Protest at Israeli Consulate called by Bay Area Jews: Break the Siege on Gaza

A CALL BY BAY AREA JEWS: Break the Siege on Gaza

BEFORE OUR EYES, the people of Gaza are being brutally and collectively punished by Israel. Israel is using a single captured Israeli soldier as a pawn to employ its enormous military might and terrorize an entire people.

As Jews, we cannot and will not remain observers of crimes committed in our name. We call on other Jews and all people who believe in justice and peace to take a principled stand against this brutality.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza, already dire from 39 years of occupation, and a recent Israeli blockade of basic supplies, is now desperate. Israel's bombing of power stations and bridges and cutting off fuel supplies in Gaza deprives people of electricity, refrigeration, pumped drinking water, and sewage disposal. The relentless and deadly attacks by the Israeli military are compounded by the threat of epidemics and starvation.

Presenting this as an isolated hostage-taking incident ignores Israel's regular abduction of Palestinians from their homes. Israel holds over 9,000 Palestinians in prison, including almost 400 children. Thousands of these prisoners are held in "administrative detention" without charges or trial. They too need to be returned to their families.

With the recent arrest of 64 members of the Palestinian Parliament and many members of the Palestinian cabinet, Israel is also using this opportunity to wage an assault on Palestinian democracy. All of this is being done with diplomatic support and $3 billion in tax-funded annual aid to Israel from the U.S. government.


Here's what you can do…

SUPPORT ISRAELIS protesting against their government's destructive actions: Gush Shalom (zope.gush-shalom.org ), Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions ( http://www.ICAHD.org ), New Profile (http://www.newprofile.org ).

WRITE TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES to demand that the US government stop funding Israel's war crimes and act to achieve an immediate ceasefire.

MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD! JOIN WITH US TO PROTEST THE SIEGE OF GAZA

STOP THE US/ISRAEL ATTACKS ON GAZA NOW!

For more information contact:
Break the Silence, Jewish Voice for Peace, Jews for a Free Palestine