In Solidarity with Gaza
Urgent Need for Medical Aid to Gaza
There is an urgent need for medical aid to Gaza. Israeli airstrikes over the past weeks have killed at least 1400 Palestinians and injured more than 5,000. [At least 45 Israeli soldiers have also died.] The ongoing Israeli-and-Egyptian-imposed blockade had already left Gaza short on 30% of its essential medications and 50% of its disposable medical supplies before the current hostilities even began.
The onslaught of Israeli missiles, including airstrikes on El-Wafa Hospital, Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, has exacerbated these conditions. Gaza’s Ministry of Health, along with the World Health Organization, have estimated that $60 million is needed to meet the basic medical needs of Gazans.
We, therefore, urge you to consider making a donation to the following medical relief organizations so that Gazans can get the medical care they so desperately need:
UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)
Our partners in Israel/Palestine tell us that more than anything else, the health and safety of all Palestinians and Israelis are dependent upon an immediate cease-fire, an end to the blockade, and an end to the occupation. So, please also continue contacting President Obama and your Congressional Representative and Senators, demanding that the US government use its considerable leverage toward bringing about these ends. (Tips for contacting Congress here).
In peace and hope,
The Israel/Palestine Mission Network
of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Israeli Assault on Gaza in Numbers
Aug. 26 marked the 50th and final day of the Israeli campaign against Gaza, which began on July 8. The death toll currently stands at 2,147 people, of which 530 were children, according to Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights.
The cost borne by Gaza includes:
People
2,147 Palestinians were killed, including 530 children and 302 women. 81% were civilians, compared to 9% of the 70 Israelis killed.
Among the dead were 16 journalists, 23 health care personnel and 11 UNRWA employees.
10,870 Palestinians were wounded, including 3,303 children and 2,101 women. A third of the injured children (around 3,000) will suffer permanent disabilities.
100,000 Palestinians were evacuated from their homes either because of Israeli threats or because their homes were destroyed or seriously damaged. They have found refuge in UN facilities or with other families, with dozens of people housed in the same home.
Buildings and equipment
The total number of homes partially or completely destroyed since the start of this latest war on Gaza reached 17,132: 2,465 homes were completely destroyed and 13,644 homes seriously damaged. Tens of thousands of additional homes suffered less-sever damage.
The number of mosques targeted totaled 171; 62 mosques were totally destroyed.
10 churches were damaged.
222 schools were destroyed, including 141 government, 76 UNRWA and five private institutions. In addition, six universities were demolished.
29 hospitals and primary health care clinics were damaged, along with 36 ambulances.
55 fishing boats also were destroyed affecting 3,000 individuals dependent on them for a living, along with 48 NGO‘s that provide the civilians with services.
372 businesses, factories and other industrial or commercial operations were damaged, as well as 19 financial institutions.
Economic impact
The direct and indirect economic losses from the war are estimated to be $3.6 billion.
Freedom for All
an excerpt from a Jewish Voice for Peace message, July 28, 2014:
People all over the world are stepping up - many for the first time - to send a clear, urgent message: We Choose Freedom for All.
Sit quietly with this just-released joint Jewish and Palestinian video about Gaza.
If you are with loved ones or colleagues—ask them to sit down and watch with you.
And take it in.
For this heartbreaking but necessary video, we asked for help from Jewish Voice for Peace members worldwide, and every hero, every artist, we knew.
And they all said yes. Yes to an end to all bombing. Yes to justice for Palestine. Yes to freedom for all people.
Gloria Steinem said yes, Chuck D and Brian Eno said yes, Angela Davis and Jonathan Demme said yes. Diana Buttu and Tony Kushner said yes. Alison Bechdel and Eve Ensler said yes. Noura Erakat, Maya Wind and Remi Kanazi said yes. Rigoberta Menchu and Desmond Tutu said yes.
In short, the people in this video represent the human family, standing on the side of freedom— for Palestinians and Israelis alike. And we say No to this unspeakable carnage wrought by one of the world’s most powerful militaries dropping explosives on an imprisoned and defenseless population.
Watch the video, share it on Facebook and via email, join the campaign and add your own photo. Invite others to do the same.
Click here: Freedom4Palestine.org
Click here: list of video Participants
click here to submit your own photo holding a name card.
List of Names of those who have died...
Below is a link to a list of all the Palestinians killed by Israeli air bombardment and ground assault since Tuesday, July 8th. This list is being updated regularly. There is also a list of Israelis killed. Click here for list.
Stated Clerk of PC(USA) issues statement on Gaza Crisis
July 16, 2014 -- “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Christians, Jews, and Muslims are all commanded by God to love God and our neighbor with our whole lives. Yet in the cradle of all three of these faiths, The death toll continues to rise. Palestinian and Israeli fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children weep for those dear to them. This particular chain of events, another tragic evidence of the impact of the illegal Israeli occupation, began with the unjustifiable murder of three Israeli youth by Palestinians, Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Fraenkel. The Israeli Military unjustifiably killed five Palestinians in pursuit of their murderers, Mustafa Hosni Aslan, Mahmoud Jihad Muhammad Dudeen, Ahmad Famawi, Ahmad Said Suod Khalid, and Mahmoud Ismail Atallah Tarifi. Then Mohammad Abu Khedair was abducted and murdered by Jewish citizens of Israel. In the wake of these terrible events, Hamas rockets have been indiscriminately fired, and Israeli Defense Forces have used overwhelming force.
Now another 174 Palestinians* must be named as victims of this violence: Haitham Ashraf Zaboub, Ramzyeh Abed el-Alem, Ezzeddin Bolbol, Laila al-Ewedat, Deir el-Balah. Musap Daher, Abu-Shanab, Moua’yad al-Araj, Hijaziyya al-Hilo, Huwaida abu Harb, Husam Ibrahim Najjar, Samir Hamdan, Hussein Abdul-Qader Mheisin, Maher Thabit Abu Mar, Mohammed Salim Abu Bureis, Ibrahim Nabil Hamadah, Hasan Ahmad Abu Ghush, Ahmad Mazen al-Bal’awy, Nabil Basal, Mohammad al-Halaby, Rifat Siyouti, Ola Wishahi, [read more...]