Indivisibles, 

During an interview on Wednesday evening with CNN, President Biden made two important statements:

1. The Israeli military has used American bombs to kill innocent civilians in Gaza
2. If Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu proceeds with his planned invasion of Rafah, the Biden administration will halt the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel. 

This is the first time the administration has publicly admitted that American bombs are being used against civilians, and he did so while reaffirming his commitment to the invasion of Rafah being a “red line” for the administration. 

We want to unequivocally say these are good moves by the administration, and we support President Biden’s attempts to help broker a ceasefire, secure the safe return of the hostages, and allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into the region. 

We also recognize that if Congress waits for a Rafah invasion to halt sending offensive weaponry, they will have missed the opportunity to ensure the approximately 1.2 million people sheltering in Rafah aren’t targeted by our missiles.

Call your representative and tell them to call for a ceasefire and oppose a Rafah invasion.

We were shocked and heartbroken with the rest of the world when over 1160 Israeli, American, and foreign citizens were brutally murdered on Oct 7 alongside the over 200 hostages who were abducted. We grieve for the lives lost, and continue our call for the safe return of the remaining hostages. 

Netanyahu’s response has stretched far beyond his stated goal of rooting out Hamas. With over 35,000 Palestinians killed (including more than 14,500 children), more than 80,000 injured, and the remaining 1.2 million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah being subject to famine and imminent starvation, the situation in Gaza has become a horrific humanitarian crisis on a massive scale. 

According to a new poll released on Wednesday, across the US, 70% of likely voters support a permanent ceasefire and de-escalation of violence in Gaza including 83% of Democrats and even 56% of Republicans. This is not a partisan issue, it is a humanitarian crisis. 

It is past time for the killing to stop.

We need Congress to press for a ceasefire, and the simplest way they can do that is by stopping the supply of offensive weapons for Netanyahu’s brutal war in Gaza. To be clear, we are not asking Congress to cease the supply of defensive weapons -- Israel should have the capability to defend itself from Hamas and escalating regional hostilities -- but we cannot supply the bombs being used to kill innocent children. Congress has a moral and legal obligation to not support the slaughter of civilians.

Let your representative know now:

Gaza is resting on a razor’s edge: On one side is a true attempt at peace, and on the other is utter devastation in Gaza and potentially across the entire region. We have the opportunity to encourage our representatives to tilt it toward peace. Help us get them there. Call your representative today.  

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team