Barbara Lee No More Aid for Israeli Occupation
We are grateful for your leadership Barbara Lee, as you oppose US militarism, and your dedicated opposition to US empire-building that comes at the expense of peacemaking. You alone in the House of Representatives spoke for sanity when others were willing to cede all war-making powers to President Bush. You have spoken for restoring democracy for Haiti when few were willing to do so. You have never wavered in your opposition to the US war and occupation of Iraq.
We are proud to support you in this work. We now are asking you to do more, because the times we live in require that we all do more. We ask you to take leadership in opposing US funding of Israel's illegal, immoral occupation of Palestine. We believe you are up to the challenge.
Just this week we heard you speak (See Video) directly with Secretary of State Rice on the State Department's role in ensuring that Israel allows the passage of humanitarian goods into the Gaza Strip during the hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee. Humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip are deplorable and no human being should have to live under such deprivation. Your ongoing advocacy for the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip is much appreciated.
Now we need you to take the next logical step. Israel's ongoing military occupation of the Gaza Strip and the illegal acts of collective punishment and deadly attacks to which it subjects the civilians of the Gaza Strip are sustained by US military aid. Israel is committing these human rights abuses with US weapons in direct violation of the US Arms Export Control and Foreign Assistance Acts.
President Bush has requested $2.55 billion in military aid for Israel for the next year, a proposed 9% increase in actual spending from 2007. This is the first proposed installment of a ten-year plan to increase US military aid to Israel by 25%, totaling $30 billion over the next decade.
Enough!
Will you instead commit to ending US support for Israel%u2019s illegal occupation, and support the cut-off of military aid to Israel as it continues its flagrant human rights abuses?
We know that US taxpayer's money would be better spent building homes in West Oakland, not sent to the Israeli military that destroys homes of Palestinians in the West Bank. (Over 18,000 Palestinian homes have been destroyed by Israel since 1967). We know these funds would be better used planting hope around the world, not uprooting Olive Trees in Palestine. (Over one million olive trees have been uprooted and destroyed by Israel since its creation in 1948, almost half of those trees during the past 7 years.) We know that these funds would be better used helping people keep their homes here, not used to build illegal Israeli settlements that make the prospect of peace all the more remote, increasing the deadly and tragic spiral of violence.
Congresswoman Lee, Speak for Us. No More Aid for Occupation.
We are grateful for your leadership Barbara Lee, as you oppose US militarism, and your dedicated opposition to US empire-building that comes at the expense of peacemaking. You alone in the House of Representatives spoke for sanity when others were willing to cede all war-making powers to President Bush. You have spoken for restoring democracy for Haiti when few were willing to do so. You have never wavered in your opposition to the US war and occupation of Iraq.
We are proud to support you in this work. We now are asking you to do more, because the times we live in require that we all do more. We ask you to take leadership in opposing US funding of Israel's illegal, immoral occupation of Palestine. We believe you are up to the challenge.
Just this week we heard you speak (See Video) directly with Secretary of State Rice on the State Department's role in ensuring that Israel allows the passage of humanitarian goods into the Gaza Strip during the hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee. Humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip are deplorable and no human being should have to live under such deprivation. Your ongoing advocacy for the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip is much appreciated.
Now we need you to take the next logical step. Israel's ongoing military occupation of the Gaza Strip and the illegal acts of collective punishment and deadly attacks to which it subjects the civilians of the Gaza Strip are sustained by US military aid. Israel is committing these human rights abuses with US weapons in direct violation of the US Arms Export Control and Foreign Assistance Acts.
President Bush has requested $2.55 billion in military aid for Israel for the next year, a proposed 9% increase in actual spending from 2007. This is the first proposed installment of a ten-year plan to increase US military aid to Israel by 25%, totaling $30 billion over the next decade.
Enough!
Will you instead commit to ending US support for Israel%u2019s illegal occupation, and support the cut-off of military aid to Israel as it continues its flagrant human rights abuses?
We know that US taxpayer's money would be better spent building homes in West Oakland, not sent to the Israeli military that destroys homes of Palestinians in the West Bank. (Over 18,000 Palestinian homes have been destroyed by Israel since 1967). We know these funds would be better used planting hope around the world, not uprooting Olive Trees in Palestine. (Over one million olive trees have been uprooted and destroyed by Israel since its creation in 1948, almost half of those trees during the past 7 years.) We know that these funds would be better used helping people keep their homes here, not used to build illegal Israeli settlements that make the prospect of peace all the more remote, increasing the deadly and tragic spiral of violence.
Congresswoman Lee, Speak for Us. No More Aid for Occupation.
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The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the most important issue we face today. Until this crisis is resolved there will be no peace in the region. The illegal occupation, the Apartheid Land-Grab Wall of Hate and continued building of illegal Jewish settlements is counterproductive. The blind support of Israel by the U.S. government is the main reason we were attacked on 9/11 and it is the main cause of America being the most hated country in the world.
I do not live in California.
israel is not part of the USA; because of this USA relationship to Israel, 9/11 3,000 americans killed; 4,000 americans killed in IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN; Oil prices are more than doubled; they have 150 billion dollars of american money which belong to the american taxpayers; get rid of lobbyists; you folks are suppose to represent 300 million individual americans, not foreign countries like israel, columbia, pakistan, etc. STOP GIVING OUR MONEY AWAY. IN ESSENCE, THE WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS, THE SENATE IS DEFRAUDING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THEY ARE NOT SOLVING ANY OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE UNITED STATES, LIKE SECURITY, LIKE EDUCATION, LIKE REPAIRING/REPLACING OUR INFRASTRUCTURES; LIKE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF WASSTE IN OUR GOVT; LIKE OUR PARK SYSTEM NEEDS HELP; LIKE OUR HEALTH CARE; LIKE GETTING RID OF THE DRUGS; LIKE GETTING RID OF THE YOUTH GANGS IN OUR LARGE CITIES; LIKE OUR POOR;
I LIVE IN HUDSON, NEW YORK; AND I WILL ALSO SEND EMAILS TO MR BUSH, MR SCHUMER, MRS CLINTON, ETC, ETC,ETC.
Why on earth are US taxpayers are forced to give billions yearly to Israel when our own are homeless or soon to be,have no jobs,no healthcare? Yearly US aid to Israel gives the equivalent of over $1500.00 per capita and funds the illegal settlements,while cutting programs in the US due to "funding".There is no justification for forcing the US public to pay for health care,education,and housing for Israelis while our own go without. It's time for the US government to break the grip AIPAC has on it. Since AIPAC controls the campaign finance committees through Schumer and Emanuel, they control which politicians get money for their campaigns. It's no secret AIPAC practices McCarthyism everyday day by stifling 'free speech' that questions Israels oppressive apartheid policies. What is shameful is that the people we elected to work for us perpetuate this crap. Finally,in addition to undermining the peace process, settlement expansion contravenes international law. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which states, that "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies." ENOUGH ! The oath of allegiance that I said everyday in school was not to Israel, or any country but America. I will be proud of the day when an American President can put the interest of America before the interest of Israel and not be crucified for it. GO BARBARA !!
I think the U.S. should not only end aid to Israel, but to all nations. We need to pull our bases from every country unless they pay for it! Israel has plenty of arms to protect itself, and I for one didn't choose them to be the chosen ones! CUT THEM OFF!
No.
No
I think our national policy should be neutral. We cannot help to bring peace by always siding with one side over the other. We are not helping when we side against peace. It is a false peace to engage with one side over the other. We must stop selling arms to Israel. Thank you Barbara Lee.
Security for Israel is dependent on JUSTICE for Palestine.
no
In the summer 2006 war with Lebanon Israeli Kids writing love notes and best wishes on AMERICAN MADE MISSLE WAR HEADS, need I say more Ms. Lee.
I believe Israel has taken advantage of our country and has caused much trauma and harm to the Palestinians. Israel has played us like a violin for years and it has to stop. They have enough money.We need the finances we usually give to them for ourselves.What has happened to the Palestinians sickens me.
I'm from California and support Barbara Lee's cause.
In providing financial support for the IDF, we are simply continuing the agony in the ME, much less the world. Plus, further inflaming the Muslim world is a VERY short-sighted, idealogical policy. Stupid in the extreme. Too much AIPAC, not enough attention paid to the millions of Jews who want peace and are anti-radical-Zionism.
No, OH-2
Ever since the time that the Jewish state of Israel has been created, the United States has granted billions upon billions of dollars in both grants and military aid it. By displacing the native peoples of Palestine and creating a state with considerable western support, we have become the target of terrorist attacks by Muslim extremists who target the United States not because of its majority Christian citizens, but because of the aid we send to thier enemy. Israel is seen as an enemy due to its expanionist foreign policy on Muslim territory. The words of Iran's president have been distorted and corrupted in a Zionist effort to create a second war in the middle east. Our politicians both democract and republican fear challenging AIPACs power for fear that thier careers will be ruined. In the mid 1990's a report came from AIPAC and entered into congress stating that the removal of Suddam Hussein would secure Israel's safety. AIPAC needs to be stopped as soon as possible, before the United States fights another war for a Zionist cause.
No
The occupation of Palestine by Israel is morally and ethically wrong. The US cannot keep supporting a criminal action such as this.
The israel lobby says it all. Unconditional support for zionist is as equally bad as extremist islam. The 9/11 attacks were a direct consequence of our unconditional support for Israel which has shown to be one of hawkiest states there are.
No.
How many more people have to die, and over how many centuries of time. People can't negociate when they are cornered. Thanks
You know what is right and just.
I am a constituent
Tell us why you think the US should end aid to the Israeli military.
Please indicate here if you are residing in Barbara Lee's 9th congressional district.
End Aid, unlees withdrawal from occupied areas...&all building stopped.
no
Israel continue to defy all united nation resolutions, that is continue to defy the intenational community in general and lately the united states in particular. They continue to built illegat settlements in occupied territory contrary to the will of the internation community and to the advice of the united states. Sending U.S. taxpayer money to subsidize Israel arrogance and alienate the arab world, is wrong, not only on a moral base, but also from practical angle as well, since the interest of the united states are better served by befriending the arab world.
As a supporter of Israel I think Israel will be safer and have more respect and standing in the world if the government policies are just. American tax money is supporting ethnic cleansing in Palestine and that should be unacceptable for all American and Israeli citizens. The military occupation of the Palestinian lands should end now or we have lost all of our moral authority.
There should be an end to Israeli occupation for obvious reasons-it is morally wrong to occupy their lands under such a brutal occupation,it is illegal and causes much unnecessary suffering.It hurts U.S.standing in the world through it's inhumanity by blindly supporting Israel.I'm also offended by some people who label those as anti semitic who are against Israeli occupation of Palestine and their human rights abuses-such as house demolitions,the wall etc..More tax money for Israel will only create ill will and excaserbate the lack of balance already felt in the region.
I don't reside in Barbara Lee's district.
I believe that if the U.S. is a true friend of Israel we will help them stop their human rights abuses by denying them US aid to continue the occupation.
Stop using our tax money for Israel to continue human rights abuses and slaughtering of inocent women and children in Palestine.
I recide in Barbara Lee's district.
Finamola con questa guerra di merda!
Barbara, I am proud to have you as my representative and I believe you can play an important role in speaking out against the role of the US in the perpetuation of Israel's ongoing atrocities and abuses towards Palestinians. There cannot be peace without justice and there cannot be justice without recognition of the US' role and active steps taken to insure that US aid stops being used for destructive and oppressive purposes. This money can be used in so many better, healthier and just ways and I have faith that you will stand up, speak out and work to make this a reality.
I reside in Babara Lee's District
Tell us why you think the US should end aid to the Israeli military.
Please indicate here if you are residing in Barbara Lee's 9th congressional district.
Ending U.S. aid to Israel is the one thing that can bring about peace, justice, reconciliation, and a decent life for all, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, in the land known as Israel and Palestine.
I am a voter in Barbara Lee's Ninth Congressional District.
I am an American Jew who is proud to be Jewish and opposed to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and oppression of the Palestinians. I am also opposed to the US government's continuing support of the occupation.
No i am not
"Apartheid is a crime against humanity. Israel has deprived millions of Palestinians of their liberty and property. It has perpetuated a system of gross racial discrimination and inequality." -Nelson Mandela "We must do everything to ensure they [the Palestinians] never do return." -David Ben Gurion, founder of Israel
I reside in Barbara Lee's 9th Congressional District.
