Dear John,

This is outrageous! On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reversed over 40 years of  U.S. legal opinion by declaring that Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian land are not “inconsistent with international law.” Though it’s certainly not breaking news that the Trump administration has no regard for international law or the human rights of Palestinians, this—coming on top of the moving of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, declaring that the occupied Golan Heights are part of Israel, cutting the U.S. funds to UNRWA—is going too far. The Trump administration just gave Israel a green light to steal Palestinian land, build more ILLEGAL settlements, and continue their annexation project.

Add your name to our letter condemning Pompeo’s false and dangerous statement; we will deliver the letter and signatures to the U.S. State Department. 

This policy change comes after the recent Israeli escalation on Gaza last week. Over a period of fewer than four days, the Israel Occupation Forces took the lives of 36 Palestinians, including eight children and three women, and injured over 110 civilians. There is nothing defensive about the Israeli Defense forces.

The assault on Gaza ended with a shaky ceasefire agreement and no change to the collective punishment that Israel has been imposing on Gaza for nearly 13 years now. While the siege is crippling the Gaza strip, the Trump administration just gave Netanyahu another gift-wrapped present to remain in power and continue his war crimes with impunity. 

The European Union rejected the U.S.’s announcement and condemned Israel’s settlements. Add your name to our statement of condemnation in agreement with the European Union and most of the world—settlements on occupied land are ILLEGAL! 

In 2016, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2334 affirming that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, as they violate the Fourth Geneva Convention. What Mike Pompeo should have announced is that Israel must immediately halt all construction of settlements and related infrastructure because of their illegality and the obstacle to peace they present. At the very least, Pompeo should have remained silent. But instead, he dropped this bombshell. Please add your name to our letter to Pompeo condemning his dangerous reversal of policy and demanding that he retract his false statement. Help us tell Pompeo and the world: ALL ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS ARE ILLEGAL!

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

P.S. Looking for gifts to buy for loved ones this holiday season? Use the special CODEPINK discount code NT2019 to receive 30% off Interlink publishing books. Pick up such treasures as, Reclaiming Judaism from Zionism, which includes a contribution from our own Ariel Gold, Young Palestinians Speak children’s book, Palestine on a Plate cookbook, and more.