Dear President Biden:
Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has continued without a meaningful United States response, with no end in sight. Enough is enough.
We are writing to you as a group of international human rights and humanitarian aid organizations calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilian lives and ensure sufficient humanitarian aid and access to the occupied Gaza Strip, and to secure the release of remaining hostages.
More than 30,000 women, children, husbands, fathers, mothers, grandmothers, uncles, cousins, and aunts have been killed. More than 70,000 people and counting have been wounded, maimed, injured, and disfigured as hospitals continue to be destroyed by Israeli forces and medical staff are detained and killed. As 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza face the risk of starvation, the Israeli government continues to block humanitarian aid from the millions of people who need it to survive. With 1.7 million people internally displaced, there is nowhere in Gaza to live in safety and dignity – sewage is overflowing, hundreds of people are sharing a limited number of showers and toilets, and diseases are spreading from poor sanitation.
The atrocities being committed against the civilians of Gaza are unacceptable and the United States cannot continue to stand by idly. As Israel’s closest ally and largest arms supplier, the United States must use its influence to call for a permanent ceasefire and suspend the transfer of weapons. Israel’s military continues its indiscriminate bombardment, destroying homes, schools, hospitals, shelters, and refugee camps. Continued transfer of arms to the Israeli government makes the United States complicit in Israeli forces’ ongoing war crimes and unlawful attacks that are wiping out entire Palestinian families. The United States must meet its obligations and immediately suspend arms transfers to Israel and push for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Only a permanent ceasefire can stop the killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and prevent a further escalating humanitarian catastrophe. A ceasefire will enable humanitarian access to feed the hungry and provide medical treatment to the sick and injured.The people of Gaza cannot wait. They need immediate action from you to secure a ceasefire now.
Sincerely,
Amnesty International USA
American Friends Service Committee
Demand Progress
Norwegian Refugee Council USA
Oxfam America
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Refugees International
Win Without War