SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024

Weekend Reading

Sabreen Samer Abu Yousef, 9, and other children shared memories of school in Gaza before the war. Photo: AFSC/Gaza

Dear John,

As millions of children in the U.S. return to school, students in Gaza continue to be deprived of this right amid Israel’s ongoing attacks. Most schools in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Those that remain have become shelters for displaced Palestinians. Recently, AFSC’s Yousef Aljamal interviewed several young students—ages 8 to 12—about their school memories and what they missed most. Read their stories.

To learn more about education in Gaza and hear from a former teacher in the region, please join AFSC’s Action Hour for a Cease-fire Now this Friday, Sept. 6 at 12 noon ET/9 a.m. PT. Register today.

DIVESTMENT MILESTONE

SF State divests from companies involved in the Gaza genocide

The university has fulfilled its commitment from May to divest its direct holdings in weapons manufacturers and other companies involved in gross human rights violations. This achievement came after months of organizing and advocacy by Students for Gaza and a few faculty members, with support from AFSC. "This is a major achievement... because of the transformative process the university went through, and the moral stance it committed to,"  says AFSC's Noam Perry. (Middle East Eye)

TAKE ACTION

Support an arms embargo against Israel

Thank you to everyone who contacted Congress this week to demand an arms embargo! Over the past 10 months, Israeli attacks have wiped out entire families and left most of Gaza in ruins. Today the U.S. must stop sending weapons to Israel and call for an immediate, permanent cease-fire.   

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Celebrating a labor leader  

As Labor Day approaches, we honor the life and contributions of Cesar Chavez, who advocated for U.S. farmworkers and won major victories for economic justice. As a staunch nonviolent activist, he sought justice through peaceful means and often worked alongside AFSC.

Special thanks to our monthly donors, our Partners for Peace, for their ongoing support to make all our work possible.

American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
United States | Donate

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