Dear President Biden,

The United States must show decisive leadership to encourage an immediate de-escalation in the Hamas-Israel conflict and help to broker a ceasefire for the protection of all Israelis and Palestinians.

The US has made clear it strongly supports Israel’s fundamental right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks on its civilians. We must also make clear that the ongoing cycle of dispossession, violence, escalation and retaliation is unacceptable. That no Palestinian or Israeli should be forced to live in perpetual fear of violence and conflict.

We urge your administration to commit to sustained leadership not only to end the immediate cycle of violence, but to address the root causes of conflict, including the injustice of occupation and de facto annexation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In addition to working urgently to de-escalate the current fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, we encourage the White House to:

• Appoint a Special Envoy charged with addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and with outlining a clear strategy to support the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to peace, security and self-determination.
• Fast-track the urgent provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza to address the destruction of infrastructure and medical services, and the worsening COVID-19 crisis.
• Make clear to the Israeli government that forcing Palestinian families from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank is against international law, and that the use of force against peaceful Palestinian protesters is unacceptable.

The United States is not a mere bystander in this conflict. As the most powerful country in the world and Israel’s closest ally, we need to act responsibly and boldly to prevent more violence, suffering and injustice.

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