Enough is Enough: We Need Peace in the Middle East
QUICK READ: We cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Demanding an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. The Biden Administration must end military aid to the far-right Netanyahu regime and renew its provision of humanitarian assistance.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
The murder of 7 World Central Kitchen aid workers by the Israeli military has provoked world-wide condemnation.
“Enough is enough” proclaimed the Pope, First Lady Jill Biden, and 40+ Democratic Congresspeople—all calling for cessation of U.S. military aid should Netanyahu’s far-right government fail to immediately implement a ceasefire in Gaza. Such action is long overdue.
Responding to the horrendous Hamas attack that killed 1200+, the Israeli military launched an all-out attack on the Gazan people, displacing 1.5+ million civilians, murdering 33,000+ (almost half children) and 200+ international aid workers, and wounding 70,000+.
Starvation is rampant throughout Gaza—a condition exacerbated by Congress’ elimination of funds for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food there.
Netanyahu’s refusal to permit adequate food and medical supplies into Gaza has been labeled “genocide” by many international observers. In fact, ethnic cleansing is being proposed by far-right members of the Cabinet.
An immediate ceasefire is essential to avoid a broader Middle East conflict and to prevent Yemeni insurgents from blockading the Red Sea, which would threaten world economic stability.
Congress must recraft the Senate-passed aid package to prevent further use of U.S. arms to kill Gazans and to alleviate this humanitarian crisis.
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]. Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
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].
Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
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].
Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
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].
We urge you to support the Freedom to Vote Act aggressively. We Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
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].
Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
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].
Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
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].
Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
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].
Congress cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is necessary but not sufficient. As your constituent, I am calling on you to:
- Support Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages,
- Block further weapons transfers to the far-right Netanyahu regime, which continue, despite their illegality under numerous U.S. statutes,
- Renew funding for the UNWRA, the only agency able to effectively distribute food in Gaza,
- Reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution.
FURTHER READING
Further Reading:
Six months into the war in Gaza, everyone seems to be losing
Six months of devastation in Israel’s war on Gaza with no sign of an end
Gaza starvation could amount to war crime, UN human rights chief tells BBC
Elizabeth Warren says she believes Israel’s war in Gaza will legally be considered a genocide
Here’s How Congress can use leverage on weapons sales to stop Biden on Israel
What laws Is the State Department Violating by Shipping Weapons to Israel?
How Dems could tank Israel weapons sales
With UNRWA broke and under siege, West bank refugees fear for the future
