Take action for Palestine! ICC: Investigate Israeli War Crimes!

John,

Israel’s unrelenting attacks on Gaza has made the situation more dire than ever. As I write to you, at least 13,300 Palestinians have been murdered by Israel in Gaza, including 5,500 children. This means 1 out of every 200 Gazans have been killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). In addition to that horrific number, more than 30,000 have been injured, 75% of them women and children. Perhaps the most haunting statistic is the 6,000+ Palestinians that are missing under the rubble, among them 1,770 children, dying slowly, alone and scared. The tragic reality is that these numbers are likely already outdated, as they increase by the hour. But these are not just numbers, 13,300 universes have been wiped off this earth without a second thought. Gazans are some of the most resilient and beautiful souls on this earth, they have endured so much, and they deserve to be remembered that way, not as a statistic.

Tell the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel's war crimes!

Internet and telecommunications in Gaza continue to be cut off by Israel, making it harder to hear news from Gazans on the ground. This is also making it harder for people to connect with their family and friends in Gaza, sending people across the globe in a panic with the uncertain status of their loved ones. I myself have not been able to reach my friend in Gaza since last Monday. 

Right now, Israel is targeting the Indonesian hospital, located in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza.  The area surrounding the hospital was also struck by Israel multiple times, as well as the second floor of the hospital itself, killing at least 14 people altogether. According to a medical worker at the Indonesian hospital, Marwan Abdallah, Israeli tanks are operating less than 656 feet from the hospital, and Israeli snipers are set up on the rooftops of nearby buildings. Despite the targeting of the Indonesian hospital, and intimidation by Israeli tanks and snipers, medical professionals in the hospital refuse to abandon their patients. They should be regarded as nothing less than superheroes. 

Israel justifies the targeting of the Indonesian hospital by claiming Hamas tunnels are underneath the building. They used the same claim to justify the bombardment and raid on al-Shifa hospital. Israel’s targeting of hospitals-an unprecedented inhumane tactic-has left 21 out of Gaza’s 35 hospitals out of service. Although the Israeli propaganda justifying these attacks is built on unfounded evidence, even if their claims were true, that does not justify the targeting of hospitals-a violation of international law. 

Demand the ICC charge and try Israel for perpetrating genocide! 

Gaza is not the only area in Palestine under attack. Since October 7, villages in the West Bank have been under curfew and lockdown. This means no one is allowed to enter or exit these villages, and they cannot leave their homes for any reason after a certain hour. This has had a devastating effect on the Palestinian economy, with business sales being cut to 50% and only 80% of salaries being paid out. Since October 7, at least 215 Palestinians have been murdered by Israel in the West Bank, including 50 children, and 2,750 more have been injured. Additionally, over 5,000 Palestinians in the West Bank have been detained, and Palestinian boys and men are in danger of imprisonment for simply leaving their homes. 

The Israeli attack on Palestine is not slowing down, which means our action is more urgent than ever. There is truly no time to waste-especially for those of us that live in the US. Our government is working to send $14.3 billion in “aid” to Israel on top of the $3.8 billion our government already provides the apartheid state-made possible by our tax dollars. A majority of our elected officials also fail to call for an unconditional ceasefire. 

Join us in this global effort to bring Israeli officials before the ICC and hold them accountable for the blood on their hands!

Finally, I ask you to never stop fighting for Palestinian liberation. They are counting on us to forget the people of Gaza, to stop posting, to stop speaking out against the genocide-but we refuse! We will never stop fighting for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. We will never stop fighting for the inevitable truth. Liberation will come soon enough. In the meantime, we need to keep the momentum going until Palestine is free, from the river to the sea!

Towards Peace,
Nour and the entire CODEPINK team