Dear Friend,

#SaveSheikhJarrah.

As hashtags trend on social media, sharing devastating footage of violence in Jerusalem, organizing hundreds of thousands around the world to stand up for Palestinian human rights, we, like you, know this devastation and violence is not a one-off incident, but rather the ongoing brutality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.

Tensions in Jerusalem had been building when earlier this month, an Israeli court approved settler plans to expand the occupation of Palestine by evicting families in the historic Palestinian neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem. That action followed Israeli moves on a neighborhood in Silwan. The plans to steal more Palestinian land have sparked daily protests.

Now, we are all seeing footage of Israeli forces storming a sacred place of worship, Al Aqsa Mosque. With worshippers inside, they threw stun grenades, used tear gas, and fired rubber-coated bullets, injuring hundreds. It is devastating.

Our government can no longer simply "express concern" over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians while continuing its unconditional financial support of the Israeli occupation. I need you to do two things right now:

1. Please send this letter to your member of Congress requesting that they support H.R. 2590, the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act. If passed, this legislation would prohibit the U.S. government from funding, among other things, the stealing of Palestinian land in the West Bank or the deploying of equipment, training, or personnel into the West Bank in support of annexation. This legislation is critical to providing much-need accountability for Israeli human rights abuses.

2. Please call your member of Congress at 202-224-3121 (both senators and your representative) and request that they speak out in opposition to the forced expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah and the brutal violence against Palestinian protesters. If your member of Congress is among the many that have already spoken with moral clarity against Israeli violence and in defense of Palestinian human rights, it is because of the work of community advocates like you. Please call them too and express your appreciation for their support.

Earlier today, I was reading about Israel’s response to a tepid statement from the State Department: Stay out of this and don’t pressure us. Imagine saying that to America when you are the recipient of at least 3.8 billion in U.S. aid annually. With this unconditional support, our country is not a bystander in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land, we help enable it. We cannot continue like this and thanks to advocates for Palestinian human rights, more and more members of Congress agree. Please take action now to demand accountability and share this request with your networks.

Best,

Maya
Executive Director

Arab American Institute Foundation
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20006
United States