[ ]J Street [ ]
Friends,

One thing has become all too clear over the past few weeks of horrific
violence and suffering: It’s absolutely critical – but exceedingly
difficult and rare – to appreciate and defend the humanity of the people
on both sides of this conflict.

On October 7, we woke up to a nightmare. Hamas’ attack on Israel was a
crime against humanity. Entire families slaughtered. Peaceful communities
destroyed. Babies and Holocaust survivors taken hostage.

In the days that followed, Israel responded with air, sea and now ground
attacks aimed at holding the perpetrators accountable and removing Hamas
from operational control of Gaza. In our view, the Israeli government has
a right to defend its citizens and to respond to Hamas’ horrific crimes.

We also know that families in Gaza should not be made to pay the price for
Hamas’ attack.

The Israel-Hamas war has taken an unimaginable toll on civilians in Gaza.
The stories and pictures are horrifying.

Medical teams conducting surgery by flashlight, sterilizing injuries with
kitchen vinegar. Doctors seeing their own children wheeled into the ER
with lethal injuries. First responders reaching collapsed apartment
buildings in darkness, listening to the cries of those trapped beneath the
rubble.

Just today, Israeli forces confirmed that they bombed the Jabalia refugee
camp, the largest refugee camp in Gaza. In a strike targeting a Hamas
commander, dozens of Palestinian civilians were reported killed and well
over 100 injured.

The terrible scenes coming out of Jabalia and other parts of Gaza are a
stark reminder that more can and must be done to push for an immediate
humanitarian pause in the fighting in order to protect hostages and
civilians in Gaza, and allow relief agencies to provide food, water,
medicine, fuel and shelter.

Friends: Can you read and sign our petition to Congress calling
for more action?

[ [link removed] ]Congress: Support A Humanitarian Pause, Restore Water & Power
✍️ Click to add your name >>

The Biden Administration is rightly pressing Israeli authorities to fully
restore communications, water and electricity to Palestinian civilians in
Gaza – and to immediately allow the entry of trucks filled with sufficient
food, water and lifesaving supplies that have lined up at the border. The
flow of aid must go much further.

The administration and a growing number of congressional leaders have
urged a humanitarian pause in hostilities to allow families to reach
safety, to support progress in hostage negotiations, and to allow aid
organizations to save lives and keep families safe.

Friends – We need all responsible voices in Congress to unite
behind these efforts. [ [link removed] ]Add your name to our petition here.

As former President Obama, Israeli security experts, and US veterans of
Iraq and Afghanistan have made clear in recent days, addressing the
unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is not just a question of
standing up for our shared humanity and core values – it’s a strategic
imperative.

Continuing this scale of destruction will prove deeply corrosive to the
relationships Israel needs to protect its citizens, defeat Hamas and
prevent future attacks.

The appalling rhetoric from some Israeli officials who have called for
“bombing without distinction,” “destruction rather than accuracy” or have
even said the children of Gaza “brought this upon themselves” must be
forcefully rejected.

As friends of Israel, we must push for a responsible, pragmatic and humane
response that does not repeat the many mistakes made in our own nation’s
response to 9/11 and subsequent “war on terror.”

As Israel rightly takes on the monstrous threat of Hamas, we must insist
that international law is upheld and civilians are protected. The
situation in Gaza is spiraling toward unthinkable humanitarian catastrophe
– which is why calls for a humanitarian pause are deeply urgent.

Friend – Please add your name to call on Congress to support a
humanitarian pause, to restore water and power to Palestinian civilians,
and to push for the immediate and significant delivery of aid as part of a
major humanitarian surge. [ [link removed] ]Click to sign now >>

Thank you,

J Street


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J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy
Americans who want Israel to be secure, democratic and the national home of the
Jewish people. Working in American politics and the Jewish community, we
advocate policies that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well as Jewish
and democratic values, leading to a two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.



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