October 15, 2023
At Cultures of Resistance we have watched with heavy hearts as the horrific killing and abduction of Israeli civilians by Hamas militants is now being used to justify the collective punishment and mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. As the atrocities are compounded, we deeply believe that the only way to halt this cycle of violence and dehumanization is to end the occupation. We must respect the rights of all people to live in safety and dignity.
On 9 October 2023, Yoav Gallant, Israel’s Minister of Defense, stated: “We are imposing a complete siege on [Gaza]. No electricity, no food, no water, no fuel—everything is closed. We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly.” As several leading human rights agencies in Palestine, including our allies at the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, have noted, “This statement, that includes genocidal language, appears as an admission of intent to commit war crimes and other grave international crimes against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.”
They further explain: “Gaza has a civilian population of over two million Palestinians, half of whom are children. Imposing a total closure of the Strip amounts to a collective punishment of an unprecedented scale, which cannot be justified either legally or morally.” Attacks on buildings and infrastructure in Gaza are resulting in the deaths of countless people who have nowhere to flee or find safe shelter.
We are now reaching out to groups on the ground who are providing food and medical aid in the midst of the massive humanitarian crisis that is unfolding. We urge you to join us in doing what you can to help protect innocent lives. Medical Aid to Palestinians (MAP) has issued an emergency appeal to ensure that hospitals have the medical resources they need right now. Our sister organization, the Cultures of Resistance Network, will be updating a Take Action page with further appeals and additional groups that are responding to the crisis here.
In this time of mourning, it is essential that we reject calls for vengeance and demand respect for the basic human rights of all people. There is no other path to a sustainable peace with justice.
Yours sincerely,
iara lee and the Cultures of Resistance team
