







|
|
Dear Richard, We are approaching the one-year anniversary of “Operation Cast Lead,” Israel’s three-week assault on Gaza, which killed about 1,400 Palestinians, injured thousands more, and caused devastating damage to the Palestinian civilian infrastructure. Almost a year later, the possibility for healing and recovery is hampered by the ever tightening siege of Gaza. A few members of the U.S. Congress are beginning to take small steps to protest against the devastating impact of Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza. This is where you come in. Even though their steps are small, they merit our support. Will you pick up the phone today and call your Congressional representative today? Before Congress goes on its winter recess, scheduled for Friday, December 18, Representatives Jim McDermott and Keith Ellison are seeking signatures on a “Dear Colleague” letter to President Obama which criticizes Israel’s blockade of Gaza as “de facto collective punishment” leading to the “unabated suffering of Gazan civilians.” In addition, Representatives Jim Moran and Bob Inglis are seeking signatures on a “Dear Colleague” letter to Secretary of State Clinton urging her to “press the Israeli government to end the ban on student travel from Gaza to the West Bank.” (The full text of both letters can be seen here.) After your call, there’s one more thing for you to do: support the Gaza Freedom March. Over 1,000 people from 42 countries have signed up to participate in the December 31 Gaza Freedom March, co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace, that will mark the one-year anniversary of the Israeli invasion and call for an end to the siege that has brought 1.5 million people to the edge of disaster. Thanks, Sydney Levy |