Friend,

"I feel like I am running out of ways to describe the horrors hitting children here. I feel like I'm almost failing in my ability to convey the endless killing of children here." - James Elder, Spokesperson for UNICEF.

We no longer have the words to describe the genocide happening in Gaza - and neither do the leaders of some of the world's major humanitarian organizations. For more than two months we have seen horrific image after horrific image, heartbreaking story after heartbreaking story, and thousands of children killed after thousands more children killed. What more does President Biden need to see to call for a ceasefire [[link removed]] ?

The words and actions of this administration and many members of Congress are unconscionable. Their continued downplaying of Palestinian suffering, denial of the threats faced by supporters of Palestine, and disregard for the pain being felt by the Arab American community is inexcusable. More than two months out and still, the President, Secretary of State, and their spokespeople are giving cover for Israel's war crimes. They are enabling this genocide and our community will never forget.

We know you are struggling as too many enter this traditional holiday season seemingly unaware or unwilling to act to save Palestinian lives. While this is a devastating moment, it is also a time to double down and remind President Biden of his responsibilities -- our country's responsibility -- given the unconditional military assistance provided to Israel to expand the occupation while violence and illegal settlements grew. So, as we enter the holiday season, please join us in asking President Biden to support human rights and work to end the violence and suffering we’ve seen since the outbreak of violence in Israel and Palestine. Click this link [[link removed]] to send a message to President Biden. We've included sample language but you may also tailor it to reflect what's in your heart. I ask that you also share it with friends and family so that President Biden understands the majority of Americans want a ceasefire now .

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We have another update and opportunity for you to act to save Palestinian lives. We heard from so many of you that The Rainbow/Push Coalition's Emergency Summit for Gaza originally scheduled for this weekend wasn't giving you enough notice to plan and participate. We took your concerns to Rainbow/Push and they agreed that Arab Americans must be a significant presence at this summit so they are moving it to January 12 and 13 in the new year. We are also planning on building an online component so please stay tuned for that if you cannot join us in Chicago.

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The Palestinian struggle has always been part of Rev. Jackson’s work for justice. This video link [[link removed]] offers a glimpse into some of that. When few were addressing it outside of those who closely watched Middle East issues, Rev. Jackson led a delegation of American religious leaders to the Holy Land to “seek reconciliation” and peace in 1979. In 1988, Jim was told, “If you even put the P-word in the [DNC] platform, all hell will break loose.” Rev. Jackson and Jim stuck to their principles then – the issue of Palestinian human rights was brought to the delegates' attention. The movement to support Palestine was elevated and continues to grow today. And we need you to be an active part of it if we are to save lives.

What: Emergency Summit for Gaza: Ceasefire, Saving Lives, Building Peace

When: Friday, January 12, 11:00 AM through Saturday, January 13, 1:00 PM

Where: Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, 930 East 50th Street Chicago, IL 60615

Convened by: Rainbow Push Coalition, Arab American Institute, Churches for Middle East Peace, Faith for Black Lives, U.S. Palestinian Council, Fellowship of Reconciliation, If Not Now, Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council, Muslim Civic Coalition, National Council of Churches, Progressive Democrats for America, Red Letter Christians, and Sojourners.

RSVP on Eventbrite [[link removed]] . If you are the head of an organization and want to endorse this call for ceasefire please let us know by emailing [email protected] [[email protected]] .

In the media, we were able to help place a group of theologians visiting from Bethlehem on NPR’s Weekend Edition to discuss the cancellation of Christmas. It was a poignant and moving conversation and you can listen to it here [[link removed]] and please share it with friends. Jim also did interviews with the Washington Post, and The Guardian helping to shape the coverage in those outlets. AAI also participated in a Scripps News online broadcast interview.

Beyond working with our allies to raise the call for a ceasefire, AAI joined the Leadership Conference in a press briefing on the release of race and ethnicity data collection. We do this work, even during this most challenging moment, because without it our community becomes invisible in an increasingly data-driven world. Maya spoke at the press conference releasing: “Disaggregation Nation: A Landscape Review of State Race & Ethnicity Data Collection.” The report, from the Leadership Conference, details current standards for collecting race and ethnicity data in all 50 states, providing an unprecedented national overview of race and ethnicity data collection standards. Maya highlighted the states currently collecting data on “Middle Eastern and North African” (MENA) populations and emphasized the good disaggregated data can do for MENA populations – including the Arab American community.

As Maya said, " Disaggregated data gives context to socio-economic disparities among Americans and allows advocates and policymakers to address these concerns. Without it, populations in need are overlooked—creating troubling consequences in areas such as health, housing, and hate crime prevention. For Arab Americans, a subgroup within the MENA category, not having data about our community means we suffer from a lack of health research and targeted healthcare.”

I know you are feeling almost as helpless as we are every day. But we mustn't lower our flags, take off our keffiyehs, or quiet our voices - we must keep doing all we can for the Palestinian people. This cannot go on. Join us in calling that in the spirit of this holiday season, President Biden must call for a ceasefire now [[link removed]] .

Regards,

Team AAI

Arab American Institute Foundation
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20006
United States
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