As a community, we are horrified at the ongoing humanitarian crisis, which is rooted in illegal settler colonialism, that is taking place in Gaza, Palestine. We are also dismayed at the lack of appropriate political response internationally. We are further concerned by the rampant misinformation and disinformation making its way not only by way of social media, but through major news sources as well, which has only served to incite antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric and colonial violence.
This week, over 1 million people were ordered to evacuate their homes in northern Gaza with little notice, only for those fleeing to be met with a surprise attack of bombs and white phosphorus, a highly inflammable chemical that burns to the bone. Now Israel is preparing for a US-backed ground assault and further illegal colonial expansion into Gaza which will only lead to more devastation.
Over 25,000 Palestinians murdered have been murdered, (over 70% are women, children and elderly people), including doctors, humanitarian workers, UN workers, photographers and journalists. Many more are still trapped under the rubble, dead or alive.
These attacks on civilians are collective punishment—a war crime. A UN official called this “ethnic cleansing,” a crime against humanity. Emergency shelters and hospitals are well over capacity, with some quickly becoming morgues. We mourn the dead alongside our Palestinian brothers and sisters and the thousands who have gathered to protest this genocide, which is rooted in settler colonialism.
Over 2 million Palestinians have been already displaced to date, and many who are Disabled, injured, sick or vulnerable are unable to comply with evacuation orders. The Israeli military has already bombed the crossing to Egypt, cutting Palestinians off from crucial electricity, food, water, and medical supplies. This is a violation of international law.
We call upon our community and beyond to centre our humanity at this time as antisemitism and Islamophobia mount beyond Palestinian borders. As storytellers, it is our responsibility to share narratives that promote our common humanity, that speak to injustice, and that avoid conflating pro-Palestinian or anti-Zionist (which is to be anti-colonial) views with antisemitism.
We call upon world leaders to end the siege, end the blockade, and to allow humanitarian access to the region.
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE NOW:
Call and email your local politicians and ask them to end the siege, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza immediately. We also urge our audiences to call for an end to the ongoing displacement and illegal settlement in Palestinian Territories.
Act:
Demand a ceasefire by calling US Congress NOW.
Demand a ceasefire by pressuring Canadian elected officials NOW.
Demand immediate humanitarian aid via Change.org.
Join the War Crimes Project and do your part to bring Netanyahu et al to justice.
Donate:
Palestinian Red Crescent Society
Medical Aid for Palestine
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund
World Food Program
Doctors Without Borders
Fact-Check:
Note: Since the issuing of this statement, 2.2 million people in Gaza have been displaced, with over 35,000 Palestinians killed. The case has been submitted to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Updated: May 6, 2024.
