To the editor:

The verdict is in on what Israeli apartheid is doing to the Palestinians – ethnic cleansing since the 1948 Nakba and permanent occupation in Gaza and the West Bank since 1967. It’s the perfect time for you to get on board.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders committing war crimes; the International Court of Justice has determined a plausible case of genocide; and international Holocaust and genocide scholars, including our own Brown University Professor Omer Bartov, have confirmed this judgment.

European leaders, global sentiment, and United Nations countries are collectively leaning in against Israel’s savagery and demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with an infusion of humanitarian aid. The only global holdouts are Israel and the U.S., with its veto grip on the Security Council, recently used yet again for immoral purposes. There’s still time for you to be on the right side of history, to be able to one day say, “I was always against this.”

Here are specific opportunities: Congressmen, HR 3565 “Block the Bombs Act” prevents more weapons delivery. It’s not anti-Israel. It’s anti-genocide. Please sign on as co-sponsors. Senators, the next time another bill is introduced, similar to the two that Senator Sanders has already sponsored, please join your Democratic colleagues who voted to uphold our Leahy Act and deny Israel its genocidal weapons.

All four of you were at the June 2 Crossroads Rhode Island groundbreaking for its Health & Housing Apartments, faithful supporters of Rhode Island’s marginalized. Kudos to you on Crossroads. Now’s your time to do better on Palestine. The genocide victims there are even more voiceless and violated than the Rhode Island street people you champion so well.

It’s time to push back against AIPAC, the unregistered foreign lobby that openly meddles in more U.S. elections than Russia. And Israel routinely flouts more UN Resolutions than Russia. Isn’t it time the U.S. had its own Middle East foreign policy, instead of acting as Israel’s attack dog?

Ken Nordstrom
Providence
East Bay Citizens for Peace