Portland Jews Demand Cease Fire Now
Jewish Voice for Peace
Digital Print, 2023
Portland, Oregon
We are witnessing a genocide in real time. Our government has the power and obligation to demand an immediate Cease Fire. The crimes against humanity committed by Hamas do not justify the ongoing crimes against humanity against the general Palestinian population of Gaza that we have been witnessing for weeks. It will not free the hostages. It will not bring peace. It will not bring justice. Anti-Semitic hate crimes are increasing. Anti-Muslim hate crimes are increasing. Anti-Arab hate crimes are increasing. This must stop.
Today, November 9, is being called “Shut it Down for Palestine.” Demonstrations and strikes are taking place around the world to demand a cease fire. In the U.S., people are taking to the streets and calling Congress to demand a ceasefire. See the growing list of Congresspeople who support a ceasefire—and if you representative is included: https://winwithoutwar.org/congress-ceasefire/
Let your representatives know what you think. Call today, call tomorrow, call until the violence stops.
My heart bleeds for all of the innocent people of Gaza who have been killed, many of them buried alive under the thousands of homes that have been destroyed by Israeli bombs. War crimes are being committed by Israel in Gaza. Killing innocent people is not “collateral damage.” We are talking about the lives of thousands of people who are victims of this conflict as well, regardless of their political opinions or their views on Hamas. If they are non-combatants, they are innocent victims. The indiscriminate bombings have to end. There will be a day after tomorrow when this war ends. There will still be two peoples living on this land and we will either look back at the horrors of what we have done to each other, or we will begin to look forward. These events are the biggest traumas for Israelis since the Holocaust and for the Palestinians since the Nakba. We will not forget. This will be the new chapters in our collective memories and narratives. The question is will we stand up from the ashes and from the pains and finally realize that everyone living between the River and the Sea must have the same right to the same rights or we will continue to say that only my side has the rights to express our collective identity on this Land?
—Gershon Baskin, Israeli Peace Activist
“We must not wait for history to pass us by. Everyone—regardless of identity or sector—must heed the calls coming from the Palestinian streets and take action against genocide. Fear will not protect us and silence will not absolve us”
—Mohammed el-Kurd, Palestinian poet and writer.
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