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Dear Elected Official,

Following the tragic loss of life caused by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed, Israel launched an attack on Gaza, which, as of January 6, 2024, had killed almost 23,000 Palestinians (1% of Gaza’s population), about 70% of whom are children and women. More than 58,000 Palestinians had been reported injured. If 1% of the population of the United States were killed, that would be 3.3 million Americans lives lost.

According to a December 21, 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) statement: “Over 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes, of whom over 1.4 million are staying in overcrowded shelters…on average, there is only one shower for every 4500 people and one toilet for every 220. Clean water remains scarce.” Rates of infectious diseases have risen markedly.

93% of the population has insufficient food and high levels of malnutrition. 25% of the population is now starving at a “catastrophic” level of hunger. The magnitude of food insecurity is unprecedented because of its severity and scale. Of all the people in the entire world who are at the “catastrophic” level of hunger, 80% are now in Gaza.

Israel has attacked hospitals, health care workers, and patients and destroyed Gaza’s entire health care system as well as blocked access to basic medications, water, food, and fuel. As of December 21, 2023, WHO reported that just nine out of 36 hospitals were partially operating, with none functioning in the north. Only three of the hospitals had surgical capabilities. An entire population, half of whom are children, are hungry, thirsty, and cold, and without basic medical care amidst massive military attacks that are inflicting severe physical and mental trauma.

In a December 29, 2023 statement by UNRWA: “This is not the time to exchange accusations and promote misinformation. International humanitarian law is very clear: The State of Israel as the occupying power must ensure that the population has access to and is provided with basic services. Likewise, all parties to the conflict must facilitate humanitarian access to all those in need. Food, water, fuel and all humanitarian assistance must never be used as a weapon of war. Aid must never be diverted or politicized.”

Holocaust and genocide studies scholars are describing Israel’s attack of Gaza as being genocidal because of the levels of destruction and killings, the unlawful banning of water, food, and fuel, forced displacement of 85% of the population, portrayal of Palestinians as being “human animals”, and threats of total annihilation, including talk of forced displacement of Palestinians to outside of Gaza. On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

In a December 12, 2023 United Nations Panel discussion on “2023 War on Gaza: The Responsibility to Prevent Genocide”, panelists concluded by reiterating the sense of urgency to “stop the killing and the ongoing genocide” while ensuring Israel’s accountability and an end of the occupation.

Many humanitarian and health organizations, including UNICEF, WHO, World Federation of Public Health Associations, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, Doctors Without Borders, American Public Health Association, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and the American Medical Student Association are calling for a ceasefire. According to a poll released on December 20, 2023, 59% of all Americans (68% of Democrats, 53% of Republicans) now support a ceasefire.

Israel’s actions will not lead to peace and will only perpetuate the cycle of violence. If we allow our government to continue to provide political, monetary, and military support for this genocide, we are complicit in the slaughter of Palestinian people without addressing the right of Palestinians to have their own country. In addition, the nearly $4 billion in annual military aid and the administration’s request for an additional $14.5 billion violates the Leahy Law that prohibits the U.S. from providing military assistance to foreign security force units that violate human rights. This also diverts resources from our pressing needs at home.

As members and supporters of the Sacramento chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, we urge you to support an immediate, lasting ceasefire and stand for the preservation of human life in Gaza, for the rule of international law, and against genocide.

We also urge you to vote against any U.S. weapons or aid to Israel, including the additional $14.5 billion being requested by the administration to fund this unlawful and horrific assault on the people of Gaza. Please work to stop the annihilation of the people of Gaza and all of its infrastructure, a violation of the Geneva conventions that prohibits collective punishment and attacks on civilians.

Sincerely,

Physicians for Social Responsibility/Sacramento

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