Save Al-Aqsa Mosque

Open letter to Political Leaders: 

Al-Aqsa Mosque is part of a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It is located in Old Jerusalem, on the Palestinian side of the internationally recognized borders between Israel and the West Bank.  Under the Oslo Accords signed in 1993 Israel agreed to withdraw from the area. 

However, that withdrawal never happened.  Israel occupies and controls the area today, and has been increasingly using violence to deny Palestinian people the right to worship, pray, and even visit their own Holy Place in their own land. 

9.23. 2014:  “Israeli forces fired stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets at worshipers and protesters, injuring dozens.”  http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/22063

10.20.2014-- “Israeli Settlers jeopardize the fate of UNESCO heritage site:"  http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/israeli-settlers-jeapordise-fate

See photos of some of the damage caused here:  https://www.facebook.com/IslamicTube/photos/a.260350280675611.62846.139870006056973/799167190127248/?type=1

It is, by the way, against International Law to destroy ‘Cultural Property:’
https://www.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule38

Cultural Property is not the only thing at risk.

10.23.2014—“Israeli Army Kidnaps nine Palestinian women as they leave al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem:”  http://www.imemc.org/article/69483 

10.29.2014—Israeli Defense Forces attack women on their way to al-Aqusa Mosque: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1526252397632127

The UN, by the way, “Strongly condemns the failure of Israel, the occupying Power, to end its prolonged occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions . . .” and they also call “ . . .  for an immediate cessation of Israeli military assaults throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and an end to attacks against all civilians . . .”  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/SpecialSessions/Session21/Pages/21stSpecialSession.aspx

Why are we standing by and allowing all this to happen?  Why do we continue to support and arm Israel?  It is time for us to quit looking the other way and do the right thing.  We must act to save al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian People.

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Contact US Political Leaders!

Click on your state on the map at the link below, and all your state reps are shown, with phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and contact forms.  If the numbers are overwhelming go back to the first page and simply enter your zip code in the form (no other information is needed) only the reps for your area will appear.  http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

Contact the White House using this form:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

You might also want to search facebook for your reps’ names, and post this or similar statements in comments or directly to their pages.


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Boycott for Peace! 

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True Democracy ~ Sample Letter to Send!

Open letter to Congress and The White House:

               International Law obliges Israel “. . . to ensure the welfare and safety of the Palestinian civilian population  . . .” ⁽¹⁾ However, Israel continues to ignore its obligations, while the world and the citizens of the US become increasingly aware and critical of Israel’s brutality.

                Orwa Hamad, a minor American Citizen of Palestinian descent, was recently shot by the IDF; who then prevented him from receiving medical aid, guarding his body until he was dead. The world is very aware of this, because it was recorded and the video is making the rounds of social media. ⁽²⁾

                I recently viewed another video, where you were asked about your inaction on Israel’s brutality.  You responded with a memorized script from AIPAC, emphasizing our special relationship with Israel. I am left wondering what that special relationship is: One rogue state to another? Two thugs on the same team? The central players in a gang profiting from the disenfranchisement of Palestinian people?
              Orwa Hamad is not an isolated case. “Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist was killed in 2003 in Gaza when she was run over and crushed by an Israeli bulldozer. In 2010, Furkan Dogan, an American of Turkish descent was killed aboard the freedom flotilla headed for Gaza. Tristan Anderson, an American activist from California suffered permanent brain damage after being shot in the forehead with a tear gas canister, in 2009 . . . More recent was the brutal beating and arrest of Palestinian-American teenager Tariq Abukhdeir, in July 2014.”  ⁽³⁾

       One would think that all of this would have a more profound effect on our special relationship with Israel. In fact, public opinion in the US is changing drastically. According to a survey by the ‘Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy,’ “Most Americans (60.7 percent) believe the United States gives "much too much" or "too much" foreign aid to Israel . . .” ⁽⁴⁾

       It’s time to let true democracy reign in the US and in Palestine and Israel as well. A democracy where there is Freedom and Equality and Justice for all. A democracy--not based on AIPAC’s money, and not on racism, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, subjugation, and disregard for international law—but a true democracy. Of the people, by the people, for the people. All of us. Including Palestinians. 

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(1) UN Human Rights Council, Twenty-first special session, 23 July 2014, Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council S-21/1; Ensuring respect for international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem:

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/SpecialSessions/Session21/Pages/21stSpecialSession.aspx

(2) Video tape of Orwa Hamad dying from an IDF gunshot wound, while they ensure he receives no medical care: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=776305119106151

(3) American Youth Murdered by Israeli Occupation Forces:

http://hamdeaburahma.com/2014/10/26/american-youth-murdered-by-the-israeli-occupation-forces/

(4) 6 in 10 Americans believe the US gives too much aid to Israel:  http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-gives-too-much-foreign-aid-to-israel-say-6-in-10-americans-277581291.html

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Contact US Political Leaders!

The sources won't fit into the form provided. Leave them off when copying and pasting the letter; and replace them with:  Links to citations: http://boycott4peace.blogspot.com/2014/11/true-democracy.html

Click on your state on the map at the link below, and all your state reps are shown, with phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and contact forms.  If the numbers are overwhelming go back to the first page and simply enter your zip code in the form (no other information is needed) only the reps for your area will appear.  http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

Contact the White House using this form:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

You might also want to search facebook for your reps’ names, and post this or similar statements in comments or directly to their pages.

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Boycott for Peace!

http://boycott4peace.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/boycott4peace

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