Raph
My whole life has been spent in Jewish community in the US and Israel. I have spent time in Israel/Palestine, and I learned Hebrew and Arabic both formally in school and through connection in community. I have family and friends who are Israeli, Palestinian — and have loved ones who have served in the IDF. People in my community lost loved ones during Hamas’s attack on October 7th? beloveds killed, displaced, and taken as hostages. I am terrified by rising antisemitism around the world.
5/13
Raph
Two generations later, I have the honor of working as an appointee for the President of the United States. The weight of this position is not lost on me. This is the story of many people in my community: a story of survival, upward mobility, and fulfillment of the American Dream. And yet, I have asked myself many times over the last eight months: what is the point of having power if you will not use it to stop crimes against humanity?
4/13
Raph
I worked for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in 2019, and then moved to Arizona to work for President Biden’s campaign in 2020. I was thrilled to join the Department of Interior because I was inspired by your principled track record of championing progressive causes, in addition to your role as an Indigenous woman leading a Department that historically harmed Indigenous communities, and the potential that it has for reparations, reconciliation, and healing.
2/13
Raph
However, I can no longer in good conscience continue to represent this administration amidst President Biden’s disastrous, continued support for Israel's genocide in Gaza.
I am an American Jew. My family escaped antisemitic persecution in Europe and found refuge in America. They changed their names at Ellis Island and worked as farmers, peddlers, and salespeople. My grandparents could not go to college.
3/13
Raph
Full text of the resignation letter of Lily Greenberg Call, the first Jewish Biden appointee to resign over the war in Gaza:
Dear Secretary Haaland,
I joined the Biden Administration because I believe in fighting for a better America, for a future where Americans can thrive: one with economic prosperity, a healthy planet, and equal rights for all people. I have dedicated my career to candidates who I believed would further this vision.
1/13
Raph
Israeli children, likely belonging to communities of settlers and religious-messianic Jews, having fun destroying aid supplies meant for Gaza.
Useful context is that one of the most common one-liners I hear from Israelis, to this day, is: "the conflict will end when they stop teaching their children to hate us".
Raph
More colonialism in the West Bank.
Dozens of masked settlers from the settlement Yitzhar set fields and olive groves on fire on the lands of Burin, in the West Bank. They were escorted by 6-7 armed men in uniforms.
Video documentation by Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din.
Raph
If they don't care today, they will when they face higher prices because of trade sanctions, when they can't travel freely because of visa restrictions, when Israeli startups can't raise funds, when they lose hundreds of million in European research subsidies, when they can't participate in cultural, sporting, or academic events.
This conflict will only end when the cost of occupation outweighs its benefits for most Israelis.
Boycotts. Divestments. Sanctions.
Raph
United States: we'll impose sanctions on a single, very specific IDF unit for egregious human rights violations
Every Israeli politician: this unit is no different from the rest of the IDF
Raph
Some Israelis genuinely want peace and justice for Palestinians. There are very few of them, but they exist.
And they say it loud and clear: "we cannot stop this war from within Israel". Only overwhelming boycotts, divestments and sanctions will make Israel bend.
Raph
Tal Mitnick, who was just released after being jailed for refusing to serve in the Israeli military, is telling the world: "I got to return to my family, but hundreds of Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons without charges"
Raph
As often, we just need to listen to Israelis themselves to understand their true intents. This is Israel Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi, from Netanyahu's Likud party:
- Interviewer: you're saying we should encourage voluntary migration, that's the solution?
- Karhi: we should encourage voluntary migration, and we should compel them until they say they want it.
- Interviewer: how?
- Karhi: the war does what it does.
Raph
Don't ever believe anyone saying it's Jews vs Arabs
Raph
Many people argue that Israeli atrocities against Palestinians reflect the ideology of Netanyahu & the far-right, and that we shouldn't blame Israel as a whole.
So to clarify: ethnic cleansing has been going on since Israel's birth in 1948—regardless of who led the country
1/14
Raph
New rule:
Don't debate semantics unless you have an active track record of standing up for Palestinian lives and denouncing the occupation.
Raph
Street for people, cars are guests!
(signs by the NYC Department of Transformation)
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