John,

Arab Americans and Muslim Americans have been feeling betrayed by our government.

This past week, Israel began bombing Gaza again after the temporary truce expired. Instead of demanding a permanent ceasefire, Congress passed multiple resolutions that continue to devalue Palestinians and support Israel’s government while it commits genocide with U.S. tax dollars and American-made weapons.

The dehumanizing rhetoric from the media and government leaders is fueling anti-Palestinian hate crimes and endangering Muslims and Arabs around the world, including in the United States. We must speak out not only against the violence, but also to recognize Palestinians’ humanity.

Thankfully, our movement demanding a ceasefire is growing. On Friday, the United Auto Workers Union became the largest union in the U.S. to join our calls for a ceasefire, joining the American Postal Workers Union, which combined represent 600,000 workers across the country.

Please add your name if you agree: As Congress attempts to rewrite history and ignore the existence of the Palestinian people, we must speak out and affirm that Palestinians exist and will not be erased.

Too many of my colleagues in Congress refuse to view Palestinians as equal human beings who deserve the same rights, freedom, and human dignity as Israelis. They refuse to call for a permanent ceasefire, or for the release of Palestinian civilians being held by Israeli forces without charge or trial.

I keep wondering: How many more lives will be enough? How many more children need to be killed? How many more families have to be traumatized and torn apart, before our government’s leaders call for a permanent ceasefire?

Thank you for calling for a true ceasefire, and for recognizing that Palestinians are not disposable.

In solidarity,

Rashida

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rashida Tlaib
Date: Fri, Dec 1, 2023
Subject: Add your name to affirm that Palestinians exist. We are human beings. And we will not be erased.
To: [email protected]

John,

Israel’s military has resumed its bombing of Gaza as the temporary truce expired. Instead of demanding a permanent ceasefire, this week Congress passed a series of resolutions that dehumanize and erase Palestinians.

This refusal to view Palestinians as equal human beings is fueling anti-Palestinian racism, inciting violence in occupied Palestine and in the United States.

These resolutions also endanger people who criticize the government of Israel. This includes Jewish Americans, Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, and peace and anti war advocates, who are experiencing a rise in hate crimes, censorship, and repression.

Please sign if you agree: Palestinian people are not disposable. Demand Congress and President Biden recognize that both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live with democracy, safety, and human dignity.

Near where three Palestinian college students were shot for wearing keffiyehs and speaking Arabic, the University of Vermont banned Palestinian author Mohammed el-Kurd from speaking on campus. This repression is happening around the country.

Hisham, one of the students who was shot, may now be partially paralyzed for the rest of his life. His mother Elizabeth thought her son would be safer in the U.S. than at home in the West Bank, but this is a dangerous time to be Palestinian anywhere.

Many Palestinians are also experiencing regular humiliation and degradation.

This past week, a young man who I have known most of his life informed me that on his American Airlines flight, he was instructed by a flight attendant to remove his sweater that said Palestine on it. He was devastated and felt like the erasure of Palestinians in our country has no limits.

Please add your name now to demand our federal government recognize Palestinians’ humanity and rights.

I’m urging my colleagues in Congress to recognize that Palestinians have a right to coexist with Israelis in their historic homeland, with equal rights and freedom—rather than living under racial segregation or being subjected under Israeli apartheid to a military judicial system, separate from Israelis’ civilian legal system.

Right now, thousands of Palestinians are held by Israeli forces without charge, trial, or access to an attorney. Those who are charged with a crime face a near-100% conviction rate, under an unjust and racist system.

I will continue to push for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the release of innocent Palestinian civilians who are arbitrarily detained. Israel’s government continues to violate international law, including by carrying out illegal occupation and apartheid—which will never lead to a just and lasting peace.

My colleagues’ failure to call for the release of arbitrarily detained Palestinians demonstrates their refusal to view Palestinians as equal human beings who deserve the same rights as Israelis.

I will continue to advocate for human rights for all people, because everyone deserves to live free from violence and free from racist and oppressive policies.

Add your name if you agree: As Congress attempts to rewrite history and ignore the existence of the Palestinian people, we must speak out and affirm that: Palestinians exist. We are human beings. And we will not be erased.

Thank you for demanding a ceasefire and for valuing Palestinians’ lives.

In solidarity,

Rashida