We are a broad coalition of people of conscience in New York
New Jersey who strongly condemn the Israeli assault on
Gaza. Although a truce has been announced, Gaza still
remains under a brutal and crippling siege and occupation.
The recent assault on Gaza resulted in hundreds of civilian
injuries and killings, including many children, and destroyed a
significant number of homes and infrastructure, which will
have a devastating effect on the strip. The recent attacks on
Gaza must be seen within a larger context and understood
as the latest in the 64-year occupation and colonization of
Palestinian land. Gaza, one of the most densely populated
places on earth, has been under Israeli siege since 2006.
This is collective punishment on Gazans for democratically
electing Hamas. "The idea is to put the Palestinians on a diet,
but not to make them die of hunger,” the former chief of staff
to Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon confessed. Israel’s brutal
siege of Gaza violates international humanitarian law and the
Geneva Conventions. The majority of Gazans are among the
estimated 7 million Palestinian refugees, and many are
even second or third-time refugees. They were expelled from
their homes in either the 1948 nakba (Palestinian catastrophe),
which resulted in the establishment of the state of Israel, or the
1967 war. Since then, the refugees have been prevented from
exercising their right of return, which is enshrined in international
law for every refugee population. Casualties on both sides in the
recent hostilities are a consequence of Israeli aggression.
The labeling of the recent Gaza attack as “Operation Pillar of
Defense” is both inaccurate and misleading. Israel violated the
Egyptian-brokered truce with Israel and Hamas by assassinating
the military commander of Hamas, thus making Israel responsible
for the escalating violence. Moreover, international law guarantees
all people, including Palestinians, the right to resist occupation.
We recognize the profound role the U.S. plays in the occupation
and ethnic cleaning of the Palestinians. Instead of sending 8.5 million
tax dollars daily to perpetuate Israel's violations of international law,
we believe our tax dollars should go to support education, health care,
and victims of the latest disaster - Hurricane Sandy - here at home,
and to fund reparations for US- financed death and destruction in Palestine.
Therefore, we call on people of conscience in the United States to:

+ Endorse this statement by signing this petition.

+ Call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel; + Contact the White House - 202.456.1111 and the U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Elizabeth Jones - 202.647.7209 and demand that President Obama hold to account Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government for their attacks on the civilian population of Gaza;
+ Participate in a local action near you. There are a number of protests/rallies/sit-ins around the world, or organize one and call for an end to Israeli occupation;
+ Support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement (BDS Call for Gaza), which calls for an end to Israeli military occupation, equal rights for Palestinian citizens of Israel, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees; and back the efforts of labor unions and student groups to compel their employers and administrators to divest from companies that do business in Israel.

ORGANIZATIONAL ENDORSEMENTS:
Adalah-NY: The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel
Advocates for Peace and Social Justice
Al-Awda NY, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
American Muslims for Palestine - NY
Defend the Egyptian Revolution Coalition
Existence is Resistance (NYC)
International Socialist Organization-NYC
Jews Say No
Labor for Palestine
Network of Arab American Professionals - NY (NAAP-NY)
New Yorkers Against the Cornell-Technion Partnership (NYACT)
New York City Labor Against the War
Occupy Wall Street Environmental Solidarity
Princeton Committee for Peace in the Middle East
Siegebusters Working Group
Students for Justice in Palestine @ Brooklyn College
Students for Justice in Palestine @ Columbia University
Students for Justice in Palestine @ Hunter College
Students for Justice in Palestine @ John Jay College
Students for Justice in Palestine @ New York University (NYU)
Students for Justice in Palestine @ Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Students for Justice in Palestine @ University of Toledo
US Palestinian Community Network - NY

INDIVIDUAL ENDORSEMENTS:
Abdu Salman
Abeer T.N. AlYazji
Amanda Najib
Ameera Hasan
Anna Calcutt
Anthony Arnove, author, Iraq: The Logic of Withdrawal
Carlos Guzman
Christine O’ Heron
Cyrus McGoldrick
Denise Fernandez
Eran Efrati
Fatimah Rimawi
Gabriela Lazaro
Hana Sleiman
Jasbir Puar, Professor, Rutgers University
Leena Widdi
Maryam Zohny
Maya Wind
Michael Letwin, Former President, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys/UAW Local 2325
Nasser Jaber
Ryan Green
Samer Asous
Sharita Sharmin
Sherry Wolf
Sundus Seif