On October 7, 2023, following 16 years of brutal siege on Gaza; decades of soldier-protected Israeli settlers terrorizing Palestinian children, farmers and villages throughout the territories; and Israeli ministers openly calling for genocide and expulsion – Palestinian militants attacked Israel.

The same day – in line with decades of US policy that has enshrined the safety and interests of one people only – President Biden described attacks by Palestinian militants against Israel as “unprovoked.”

We disagree, Mr. President!

WILPF US calls for an immediate ceasefire and talks that address root causes and include all parties. We urge WILPF members to quickly send the prepared messages linked below – and share them with friends and community. Also, contact elected officials and the media. We offer talking points to convey your passion for peace. We encourage you to advocate for nonviolent means to end Israeli apartheid.      

As more Palestinians and Israelis die and suffer injury, as more homes and infrastructure are destroyed, we call for a just peace based on equality, human rights and dignity for all.  

We endorse the following messages:

• Stand for human rights and safety for all people and build a foreign policy that will actually end the violence (from Jewish Voice for Peace) 
• Stop funding Israel’s massacres (from US Campaign for Palestinian Rights)
• Call for immediate ceasefire and end to violence and occupation in Palestine and Israel (from American Friends Service Committee)
•  Occupation is indefensible (from CodePink)

Contact Washington and the media.   

We demand an immediate ceasefire, diplomacy, and respect for human rights. Don’t let the Anti-Defamation League and others, who will get out thousands of calls to increase military funding for Israel, be the only voices heard!

• Call your Representative (202) 224-3121, Senators (202) 224-3121, President Biden 202-456-1414 and Secretary of State Blinken (202) 456-1111.
•  Call your Members of Congress at their home offices if the DC switchboard is busy.
•  Write to your media outlets.

Here are important talking points that will help you convey your passion for peace.

• War is not the answer. Demand an immediate ceasefire and talks involving all parties, including democratically elected Hamas, to discuss root causes and how to move forward with justice, safety and dignity for all. For more information, read and share our booklet Hamas at the Middle East Peace Table: Why? and the 2021 update. Both are included as Resources on our webpage.
• Freeze military sales to Israel pending investigation of Israeli human rights abuses. Ask your Representative to sign on to HR 3103 Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families.
• Demand that Israel sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Unregulated nuclear weapons of any nation are a threat to the region and the world.   

Now is the time to advocate and take action for non-violent means to end Israeli apartheid.                 

• Learn about and support the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS). Since 2005 Palestinian civil society has called for ending international support for Israeli oppression of Palestinians and for pressuring Israel to comply with international law.
• It is not antisemitic to criticize Israeli government policy that denies freedom, dignity and safety to half the population of Israel proper and the territory it occupies
•  Lobby to repeal state and municipal laws that ban the support of BDS by falsely stating that BDS is antisemitic. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld such a law.

For more information or to reach the Middle East Peace and Justice Action Committee, contact MEPJAction@wilpfus.org

Tura Campanella Cook, Co-Chair

Middle East Peace and Justice Action Committee

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom - US Section