Tell Secretary Blinken:
We Should Be Outraged
Win Without War
(May 18, 2022) — Israeli military units, armed with a court order and, potentially, US-made weapons, could forcibly remove over 2,000 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta region of the West Bank.
This is outrageous and yet, not at all surprising because this is exactly what occupation looks like. We can make a real difference in this moment, because when the State Department talks about these issues, it slows down evictions and safeguards people’s homes. That’s why it’s so crucial that we act now — because every moment has the potential to stop a bulldozer.
This is only the latest action in the ongoing, systemic subjugation and oppression of the Palestinian people. We saw this when Israeli police attacked the funeral procession of Palestinian American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, in Jerusalem on Friday. Abu Akleh was shot last week while documenting an Israeli Defense Forces raid in the Palestinian city of Jenin, and had devoted her career to reporting acts of forcible displacement and other forms of state violence like that experienced by the Palestinian community in Masafer Yatta.
Time Is Running Out for Masafer Yatta’s Families
Just last week, the Israeli military launched its first eviction operation by bulldozing people’s homes, leaving 45 people homeless.
That’s why we need to act now. We’ve seen in the past that when the State Department has spoken up, the displacement stops or slows down — but more than that, by sending in observers to ensure that US weapons are not being used for this, we can also help end our complicity in the violence.
US foreign policy should consistently uphold our values of rights, equity, and justice in every instance. For too long the United States has been complicit in the human rights abuses of governments in Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and others through funding security forces or allowing them to act with impunity. It’s time for this to end.
Letter to Secretary of State Blinken
Israeli military units, armed with a court order and, potentially, US-made weapons, could forcibly remove over 2,000 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta region of the West Bank.
Earlier this month, the Israeli High Court of Justice ruled that the Palestinian people living in the only homes they’ve ever known can be forcibly evicted, and the region transformed into a military training zone called Firing Zone 918.
This is outrageous and yet, not at all surprising because this is exactly what occupation looks like. We can make a real difference in this moment, because when the State Department talks about these issues, it slows down evictions and safeguards people’s homes. That’s why it’s so crucial that we act now – because every moment has the potential to stop a bulldozer.
THE LETTER
To Secretary of State Antony Blinken:
We urge you to express outrage at the Israeli government’s forced transfer of Palestinian residents from Masafer Yatta, monitor and identify Israeli security forces responsible for this displacement, and apply Leahy Law security assistance restrictions on those units using US-made weapons and equipment.
Thank you for working for peace,
Sam, Annika, Faith, and the Win Without War team
PS: Our deepest condolences are with the families and friends of those targeted in last weekend’s Buffalo shooting. White supremacy must be treated as the existential and national security threat that it is; eradicating it is core to our collective security. Read our statement here.
