It has been over a year of Israel’s strikes on Gaza, an event that has led to tens of thousands of deaths, displacement of millions and countless injuries. The strikes have been labelled as genocidal by various commentators. In the last few weeks, the ambit of Israel’s war has increased, with Lebanon and Iran emerging new sites of strikes and retaliation.
The following letter by Israeli citizens calls for an amping up of “true international pressure” on Israel, to get it to implement an immediate ceasefire.
We, Israeli citizens residing in Israel and abroad, call on the international community – the UN and its institutions, the United States, the European Union, the League of Arab States, and all states around the world – to intervene immediately and implement every possible sanction towards achieving an immediate ceasefire between Israel and its neighbors, for the future of both peoples in Israel/Palestine and the peoples of the region, and for their rights to security and life.
Many of us are veteran activists against the occupation, for peace and mutual existence in this land. We are motivated by our love for the land and its residents, and we are concerned for their future. We have been horrified by the war crimes committed by Hamas and other organizations on October 7th, and we are horrified by the countless war crimes that Israel is committing. Unfortunately, the majority of Israelis support the continuation of the war and massacres, and a change from within is not currently feasible. The state of Israel is on a suicidal path and sows destruction and devastation that increase day by day.
The government of Israel has abandoned its citizens who are hostages (and has killed some), it has neglected the residents of the south and north of Israel, and it has forsaken the fate and future of all of its citizens. Israel’s Palestinian citizens are persecuted and silenced by state authorities and by the wider public. It is our opinion that the repression, intimidation, and political persecution prevent many who share our views from joining this call.
Every day that goes by further distances any possible horizon for a regional agreement and reconciliation, a future where Jewish Israelis can live with security in this place. Achieving these will require lengthy processes, but the constant massacres and destruction must be stopped immediately!
The lack of true international pressure, the continuation of arms supplies to Israel , economic and security partnerships, and scientific and cultural collaborations, bring most Israelis to believe that Israel’s policies enjoy international support. The leaders of many countries make repeated statements about the horror they feel and verbally denounce Israel’s operations, but these condemnations are not backed by practical actions. We are replete with empty words and declarations.
Please, for our futures and the futures of all of the residents of Israel and the region, save us from ourselves, and use real pressure on Israel for an immediate ceasefire.
The above letter first appeared on the website for Israeli Citizens For International Pressure. More than 2,700 Israeli citizens have signed this letter. The full list of signatories can be seen here.
