Dear John,

As of last night 2:00 AM this morning a ceasefire has been in place in Gaza, but this is tentative and leading up to it was horrific violence that took the lives of 34 Palestinians, including eight children and three women and injuring over 110 civilians. What happened was that on November 12, 2019, the Israeli government launched a targeted assassination of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commander, Baha Abu al-Ata, Israeli started airstrikes. We are holding the people of Gaza in our hearts right now and hoping the ceasefire holds as we know that Israel has no regard for Palestinian lives or rights.

Another clear-cut example of Isreal’s disregard for Palestinian rights is the recurring and indefinite detention of Khalida Jarrar, who has been among those leading the charge to hold Israel accountable for war crimes in the International Criminal Court. For this, Israel thinks she, rather than Netanyahu, belongs behind bars. Tell Congress to condemn Israel’s use of administrative detention — no charges, trial, no release date in sight — and call for Khalida Jarrar to be released immediately. 

“My mother, Khalida Jarrar, is a feminist and a human rights defender. She has dedicated her life advocating for Palestinians’ right to full equality, dignity and basic human rights. As an elected representative and as a community leader, she has been an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of Palestinian political prisoners,” said Yafa Jarrar, Khalida Jarrar’s daughter. 

On Thursday October 31, 2019, the Israeli military burst into Jarrar’s home in Ramallah and arrested her. On November 4, they extended her detention for at least another eight days. Under administrative detention, the Israeli military can hold a prisoner indefinitely on evidence that is not disclosed. “Israel continues to target Khalida Jarrar because she shatters its democratic image by speaking truth to power. Mom’s role in exposing Israel’s criminal record before international venues such as the International Criminal Court is why Israel wants her silent and absent.” said Yafa Jarrar. Khalida Jarrar is one of 5,500 Palestinian political prisoners being held under administrative detention.

This is not the first time Jarrar has been imprisoned by Israel. During her 2017-2019 administrative detention, when she was held for 15 months, during which time she organized other Palestinian female political prisoners to advocate for educational and other rights. Tell Congress to call for Khalida Jarrar and other Palestinian political prisoners to be released immediately and Isreali military administrative detention to be abolished.

If Khalida Jarrar were not being held in prison right now, she would be railing against the bombs that were just dropping in Gaza and calling out the names of the children — Ibrahim Ayman Fathy Abdel Aal, 17-years-old, Amir Raafat Mohammed Ayyad, eight-years-old, Ismail Aymen Fathy Abdel Aal, 16-years-old, Mohannad al-Sawarka, 12 years old, Muaz al-Sawarka, seven years old, and Waseem al-Sawarka, 13 years old — killed in these past two days by US-supported Israeli air-strikes. Since Israel is right now muting Jarrar, we must be her voice and demand that Congress call for her release. Please contact your Senators and Representative now!  

In solidarity with Palestine,
Ann, Ariel, Caroline, Carley, Clara, Emily, Enas, Jodie, Kelly, Leonardo, Mark, Medea, Megan, Michelle, Nancy, Paki, Raegan, Teri, Tighe, and Zena

PS. Listen to our CODEPINK radio interview earlier today with Khalida Jarrar’s daughter and read our statement on the latest assault on Gaza and take action by telling Congress to speak out against it!