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Children who once dreamed of competing at the Olympics are buried under the rubble of their homes in Gaza - and people everywhere are calling on the Olympic committee to ban Israel from the Paris Games next month if its assault on Palestinian civilians continues. The committee is meeting in just days - let's stand against the mass killing of children.
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Dear friends,
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Next month, the world will turn its eyes to the Olympics in Paris.
36,000 of those who could be watching with us from Gaza are dead. Children who once dreamed of competing have had their limbs torn from them.
And unless something changes, the Israeli government will still be bombing Gaza as athletes compete in its name: Israel has just announced its willingness to continue the war for seven more months.
As the world comes together for the Olympics, we have the chance to send a message that mass killing of civilians will not be tolerated by the global community. Pressure is building for a plan that would see Israeli athletes compete - just not under Israel's flag.
The Olympic committee meets on June 12: let's be one million voices demanding that Israel be banned until its government stops the assault on Palestinian lives!
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The October 7 massacre was an unspeakable horror and every day since the horrors have continued. The Olympics are a moment for the global community to come together in peace, and bans have sent a powerful message before to countries accused of committing atrocities.
The Olympic committee banned Russia just four days after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and they barred South Africa in 1964 as a way to demonstrate unified international disapproval for apartheid.
As with Russian athletes, a ban could still allow Israeli athletes to participate as neutrals, unaffiliated with a government whose leaders have now been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Calls for a ban are growing: Protests have broken out outside the Olympics headquarters in Paris, lawmakers have petitioned for a ban, and Olympics experts are calling the IOC out for their double standards.
A colossal wave of support could be the final push that is needed to move the Olympic committee. Add your name now, and share with at least one friend.
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There is no peace or safety for Israelis or Palestinians down this path of blood and war. Our community has shown up by the millions to defend Palestinian and Israeli lives, and as the world comes together in peace for the Olympics, we have an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those suffering untold horrors in Gaza. Let’s push for accountability once more and honor the memories of those whose dreams have been destroyed.
With hope and determination,
Liliana, John, Alice, Miguel, and the rest of the Avaaz team
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