Dear John
I’m getting in touch today to ask for your help on behalf of Friends of the Earth Palestine (PENGON) and to share some of their testimonies.
First I want to say that we strongly condemn the killing of civilians and taking of hostages. We urge all parties – including the international community – to protect lives and work to end this conflict.
Surrounded by this awful conflict, the organisations that make up PENGON – based in the occupied territories of both Gaza and the West Bank – are operating under incredibly difficult circumstances.
One has reported that its office has been bombed and demolished. Another, which had been helping distribute water during the conflict, told us that over 60% of its employees have had their homes damaged or destroyed. And a third organisation has seen every one of its employees in Gaza displaced.
As my colleague Aleanna told you a few weeks ago, PENGON have also reported that one of their colleagues, Islam Ali, has been tragically killed in an Israeli airstrike in the south of the Gaza Strip, after being forcibly displaced from the Al-Shati Refugee Camp.
So in solidarity with our sister organisation I urge you to ask your MP to use their influence to protect lives and demand an immediate ceasefire. This will also help make it possible for PENGON and others to do their vital work.
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“I am stuck in Egypt as I was on my way back to Gaza when the war started and here, I am now, stranded away from my house, my family, my country, and my life. I am not sure when and how I will be able to resume work normally, and I even wonder if our work will retain any value if we lose our homeland.”
Like us PENGON are campaigning for a fairer, greener future. They’re delivering climate action – like setting up renewable energy projects – amid a devastating conflict and ongoing illegal occupation.
“Before the war, my daily drive to my office in Ramallah was one hour, now it takes me at least 3 hours to reach the office and 3 hours to get back home. The Israeli army blocked all the entrances to the cities and villages, this affected the ability to reach the communities that we tend to serve through our projects.”
There can be no environmental justice where there is war. That’s why we’re calling for a ceasefire. Telling our leaders to stop being complicit in violations of international law. Condemning human rights abuses, whoever the perpetrator. And demanding that MPs instead stand up for sustained peace by ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories for good.
Will you join us today?
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As I’m sure you know, there's a desperate health and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where almost half the population is under the age of 18. If you can please do support Medical Aid for Palestinians, which is responding to the current emergency.
Thanks for reading. For more of our thoughts on the Palestine/Israel crisis, you can read our statement here.
Best wishes,
Elaine Gilligan
Chief International Advisor
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