Veterans from U.S. and Israel Unite to Call for Ceasefire in Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2024
Veterans from U.S. and Israel Unite to Call for Ceasefire in Gaza
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, US military veterans from Common Defense joined Israeli veterans from Breaking the Silence for a press event to demand that President Biden and Congress take action to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Representatives of both groups will be in DC through Thursday to meet with lawmakers and speak with the press about the current state of the crisis in Gaza. This historic international partnership of veterans highlights the urgency of this moment.
The event comes as Netanyahu visits DC this week. In addition to today’s press event, Common Defense and Breaking the Silence are meeting with lawmakers and delivering a petition signed by more than five thousand veterans and military families calling for a permanent ceasefire in the current war in Gaza. The veteran organizations were also joined by the Friends Committee on National Legislation, another key partner in our work for a permanent ceasefire.
Our friends at Breaking the Silence joined in our week of action, to give U.S. leaders the perspective of Israeli Defense Force (IDF) veterans who are opposed to Netanyahu’s continued assault in Gaza and his administration’s continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank. They have worked tirelessly to uplift the testimonies of other IDF veterans who witnessed and participated in the occupation of Palestinian territory.
Throughout this week, Common Defense and Breaking the Silence have met with lawmakers of both parties to demand that elected leaders do more to end this crisis. The demands of the ceasefire petition are:
President Biden must use all diplomatic means to pressure both Israel and Hamas to enact the immediate implementation of the recently laid out ceasefire proposal, including the permanent cessation of all hostilities and the safe return of all hostages being held in Gaza.
Congress should tie any future military aid to Israel to a clear demonstration of Israel's commitment to and respect for international law and the human rights of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and restore U.S. support for UNRWA.
The U.S. must ensure safe access to Gaza for humanitarian and media personnel, as well as the UN.
The U.S. must demand that Israel cease its practice of indefinitely holding Palestinian prisoners without a free and fair trial - including those in 'administrative detention', a practice which must be abolished completely.
The administration and Congress should promote a diplomatic approach to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and prevent broader conflict.
QUOTES:
“We’re the soldiers that stood at checkpoints, raided homes, arrested kids, destroyed Palestinian villages and fought in Gaza. We know more than anyone else why we need to end the Israeli occupation for the sake of Israeli society and the Palestinian society as well. We cannot really be a democracy in the middle-east if we continue our continuous 57 years of military occupation over the Palestinian people.” - Nadav Weiman, Incoming Executive Director of Breaking The Silence
“Nowhere is the evil of war more clear than in Gaza today. Since October 7, 2023, we have watched in horror as over 38,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of whom were civilians, have lost their lives. This brutal campaign has left Gaza in ruins and its people in despair.” - Jose Vasquez, US Army Veteran & Executive Director of Common Defense
“Finally, as a black woman, I feel compelled to address the role racism plays in this conflict. The mass slaughter in Gaza is not just a geopolitical issue; it is deeply rooted in systemic racism. The dehumanization of Palestinians, the portrayal of their lives as less valuable, echoes the racial injustices we fight against every day. We cannot ignore the racial dimension of this violence, and we must stand against it with all our might.” - Janice Jamison, Air Force Veteran & Director of Special Projects for Common Defense
FIND PHOTOS OF THE EVENT HERE.
REPLAY THE PRESS CONFERENCE HERE.
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Common Defense Civic Engagement is a grassroots, veteran-led organization that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.