Dear President Biden:
The US Must Lead on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
De-escalation | Ceasefire | Diplomacy
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Friend --
The escalation in Israel and Gaza over the past 24 hours is horrific. Rockets fired by Hamas have now killed at least three Israelis and wounded more. Intensive retaliatory strikes by the IDF have killed and wounded dozens in Gaza.
Our thoughts are with our family, friends, staff and partners in the region -- and with all Israelis and Palestinians who are living in fear for themselves and their loved ones, and those who are today grappling with unimaginable grief and loss.
Israel has a clear right to defend its citizens from rockets and terror attacks. At the same time, we know that there is no long-term military solution to this crisis, and that escalations and intensive Israeli strikes cause devastation for the people of Gaza. We also know this escalation began following the incendiary efforts of Israeli settler groups to evict hundreds of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem.
Right now, it’s critical that the Biden administration engage proactively in securing an immediate ceasefire and pushing all sides to de-escalate. With lives on the line, our government can and should be doing more.
That’s why I’m asking you to sign our petition calling on President Biden to push for de-escalation, to work toward brokering a ceasefire and to commit to sustained leadership to address the root causes at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- including the ongoing injustice of the occupation.
As a global superpower and Israel’s closest ally, the United States is no mere bystander in this conflict. As the Trump presidency demonstrated all too clearly, US engagement has the capacity to reduce violence or to exacerbate it, to address injustice or compound it. Our voice, our values and our leadership are vital.
While the Biden administration is committed to a two-state peace agreement, we need our leaders to go beyond rhetoric, to commit to bold diplomacy, to promote solutions -- and to push back on dangerous policies and injustice. We cannot leave this issue on the backburner and get involved only when the casualties are mounting. We must take initiative.
Join us in urging the administration to commit to sustained leadership not only to end the immediate violence, but to end an unacceptable status quo. We’re urging them to:
- Appoint a Special Envoy charged with addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and with outlining a clear strategy to support the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to peace, security and self-determination.
- Fast-track the urgent provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza to address the destruction of infrastructure and medical services, and the worsening COVID-19 crisis.
- Make clear to the Israeli government that forcing Palestinian families from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank is against international law, and that the use of force against peaceful Palestinian protesters is unacceptable.
Friend, without our leadership, the unacceptable, deteriorating status quo means perpetual injustice for Palestinians and a continual risk of violence endangering both peoples. It empowers extremists and endangers millions of Israelis and Palestinians who deserve and long for peace.
We know where that situation leads us -- to painful violence and suffering like we’ve seen the past few days. The Biden administration can and must do more to stop the fighting and make sure there isn’t yet another escalation like this in a few months or years.
READ AND SIGN THE PETITION NOW
Thank you,
Dylan Williams
Senior Vice President for Policy and Strategy
