Friend,

Today is usually set aside for family and gratitude. A celebration of life and those who give life. But how can I celebrate motherhood while Israel’s slaughter in Gaza continues?

Much has been said about the death toll in Gaza. We know at least 10,000 Palestinian women have been killed by Israeli forces in the last 7 months. We know at least 6,000 of them were mothers.

But since the occupying forces have systematically destroyed Gaza’s health infrastructure, the deaths are now compounding as women die of treatable injuries and preventable disease.

The latest figures from UNRWA estimate that 37 children lose their mothers every day in Gaza.

And for the mothers who’ve lived? They are physically scarred by injuries and amputations. They are psychologically traumatized by relentless bombing, forced relocation, and incalculable grief. Over 150K pregnant or breastfeeding women in Gaza are struggling to survive without access to clean drinking water or sanitary items.

Many of these mothers have also lost their children, as nearly 14,000 babies and children have been murdered by Israel in the last seven months.

As I write this, American mothers are gathering safely in our homes, surrounded by our families, receiving gifts and flowers and cards.

As I write this, hundreds of thousands of mothers in Gaza huddle in makeshift shelters and tents, forced out of their homes full of precious memories.

They and their families are sick and starving, while Israel deliberately chokes off aid and aims their weapons squarely at them – weapons that our government paid for and provided to the murderers.

In the face of these horrors, I am uplifted by the historical origins of today’s celebrations in the 1870 proclamation of Mother’s Day for Peace by noted abolitionist and feminist Julia Ward Howe.

Graphic by The Peace Alliance.

154 years on, her message still unifies us with the long struggle to abandon the violence of empire and oligarchy; to transition to the global village it takes to justly raise our children – within a beloved human community that puts people, planet and peace over profit.

Today, it is my fervent hope that mothers everywhere will rise up and put an end to this assault on our most core human values that is taking place before our very eyes in Gaza.

I draw strength and inspiration from knowledge that you and millions of others also see this genocide for what it is – and that we refuse to allow this to continue. May this day of motherly love strengthen our commitment and resolve needed more than ever in this hour of genocidal darkness.

In solidarity and gratitude,

Jill

P.S. In lieu of contributions to our campaign today, please donate to UNRWA to support the mothers left in Gaza struggling to survive Israel’s genocide.