[1]LeftNet
Dear John,
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians—including children—are starving
right now in Gaza. The poor and dangerous conditions and restrictions by
the Israeli government have halted many of the United Nations' operations.
And the situation is only getting more heartbreakingly dire by the day, as
hundreds of thousands face a famine.^1
More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed because of Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's brutal bombardment of Gaza, and hundreds of
thousands more are suffering. [ [link removed] ]As we continue to push for a ceasefire,
it is urgent that the U.S. resume funding IMMEDIATELY to the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(UNRWA), the largest humanitarian operation in Gaza.
The UNRWA is at its "breaking point" as the crisis worsens.^2 Humanitarian
organizations like Oxfam and UNICEF have been sounding the alarm for
months that the lack of food and water is creating inhumane conditions for
innocent civilians. Pregnant people and children are not getting adequate
nutrition, resulting in illnesses and death.^3 [ [link removed] ]Canada and Sweden just
announced that they are resuming UNRWA funding.^4 The United States needs
to follow suit and reinstate funding NOW to UNRWA so they can continue
humanitarian operations.
Sign the Petition
The UNRWA is one of the largest U.N programs, with over 30,000 staff.^5
The U.S. halted funding in January, after Israeli officials accused a
handful of UNRWA staff members of having involvement with Hamas and the
attacks on October 7, 2023.^6 Despite the lack of evidence in the dossier,
the UNRWA swiftly launched an independent investigation and increased
standards for transparency and accountability.^7,8 Groups warned that
cutting UNRWA funding could exacerbate starvation and hunger in Gaza, and
that's exactly what has happened.
[ [link removed] ]The U.S. is the top funder among countries that provide funding to the
UNRWA. Add your name to the petition to demand that your members of
Congress resume funding immediately to ensure aid continues to get to
starving Palestinians!
Devastating photos and stories are flooding the internet about children in
northern Gaza who are starving.^9,10 The Israeli government has repeatedly
cut off and undermined access to food and water, yet the U.S. is still
sending billions of dollars in weapons and aid to Israel.^11 The scale of
harm unfolding in Gaza is indescribable, and we have to do everything we
can to stop it.
Sixty-seven percent of American voters support the U.S. calling for a
permanent ceasefire and a de-escalation of violence in Gaza.^12 In the
meantime, Palestinians need aid NOW. [ [link removed] ]Click here to demand that the U.S.
resume funding of UNRWA immediately, and then share with three friends.
Thanks for all you do.
–MoveOn
Sources:
1. "The 10-Year-Old Boy Who Has Become the Face of Starvation in Gaza,"
The New York Times, March 9, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
2. "How the Biden Administration Kneecapped the Most Essential Aid Group
in Gaza," Mother Jones, March 5, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
3. Ibid.
4. "Canada, Sweden resume UNRWA funding; CIA chief meets Mossad head for
talks," The Washington Post, March 9, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
5. "Organizational Structure," United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East, December 13, 2022
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
6. "Canada, Sweden resume UNRWA funding; CIA chief meets Mossad head for
talks," The Washington Post, March 9, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
7. "'Scandal': Israeli Dossier 'Provides No Evidence' for Claims Against
UNRWA Staff," Common Dreams, February 6, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
8. "What we know about Israel's allegations against UN staffers in Gaza,"
CNN, January 29, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
9. "In Photos: Children in Gaza Ill and Dying for Lack of Food, Say Gaza
Doctors," VOA News, March 11, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
10. "The 10-Year-Old Boy Who Has Become the Face of Starvation in Gaza,"
The New York Times, March 9, 2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
11. "Israel: Starvation Used as Weapon of War in Gaza," Human Rights
Watch, December 18, 2023
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
12. “Voters Support the U.S. Calling for Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza and
Conditioning Military Aid to Israel,” Data for Progress, February 27,
2024
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
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