For Immediate Release
October 10, 2023
FROM: A coalition of Religious, Peace and Civil Rights Groups in Milwaukee, including the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, American Muslims for Palestine and Muslim American Society – Milwaukee Branch
We stand with the Besieged and Oppressed Civilians of Gaza
What we have witnessed over the past few days is an unrestrained and massive attack by Israel’s military forces against the civilian population of Gaza. Responding to Israel’s humiliating military and intelligence failures over the weekend, the Israeli military is largely targeting the civilian population and infrastructure of Gaza.
Already, scores of residential apartment towers and entire neighborhoods have been demolished by the Israeli air force with innocent men, women and children residing inside. Multiple mosques housing civilians seeking shelter from Israeli bombardment have been destroyed. Marketplaces where innocent families went to purchase food in anticipation of greater Israeli attacks were also targeted. The sister of one of our community members was murdered during one of these marketplace attacks.
This is not a war against Hamas, but an Israeli war against nearly 2.5 million Palestinian civilians – about half of them children – who have lived under Israeli occupation and a barbaric Israeli military siege their en;re lives. Sadly, this is not the first war that these people have endured.
Eighty percent of the population of Gaza are the families and descendants of Palestinians forcibly driven from their homes during Israel’s creation. Over their lifetime, they have faced numerous deadly military attacks by Israel, with innocent civilians always being the primary victims.
The civilian Palestinian death toll is expected to rise exponentially due to relentless Israeli bombardment of civilian areas. Already, over 1,000 civilians have been murdered, including 200 children. The death toll and destruction provide clear evidence that Israel is deliberately trying to punish Palestinian civilians. Further evidence that Israel is intentionally targeting civilians: the Israeli government has cut off all food, fuel, electricity and water to the entire civilian population. Israel is able to impose such a blockade because Israel has always maintained total control over Gaza.
The inhumane attacks by Israel amount to collective punishment of a civilian population. Those who are familiar with international law know that the collective punishment of civilians is an international war crime. Unfortunately, during its en;re existence, Israel has been able to violate international law with total impunity because the U.S. and several other western governments provide Israel with diploma;c cover and protection.
The Israeli government is clearly seeking revenge against the civilian population of Gaza to compensate for Israel’s humiliating military and intelligence failures. Unlike Israel and its hypocritical supporters, we cannot and will not justify attacks that target unarmed civilians. The loss of even one innocent civilian is tragic.
What is even more tragic is the failure of Israel and its supporters, propagandists, enablers and financiers to see that THEY ARE SOLELY TO BLAME for the violence we are witnessing. It is THEIR SILENCE, coupled with their decades long BLIND SUPPORT of Israel’s crimes that have brought us to this stage.
The expulsion and dispossession of Palestinians is decades old. Israel’s brutal rule over Palestinians has continued unabated for decades. Israel’s daily humiliation and subjugation of Palestinians was normalized and clearly approved in Israeli society. Israel’s theft of Palestinian lands and continued building and expansion of illegal Israeli settlements has been boldly justified in the name of an apparently discriminating and unjust Israeli God.
Israel’s representation by increasingly militant leaders – including avowed fascists such as Benjamin Netanyahu, Bezalel Smotrich (the Israeli Finance Minister) and Itamar Ben-Gvir (the Israeli Minister of Na;onal Security) – who have called for the expulsion and murder of all Palestinians – was not a problem for most Israelis and most western politicians since it did not impact them.
Israel’s arrogant, bigoted and supremacist view that Palestinian Muslims and Chris;ans are lesser humans than Israeli Jews, have fewer rights than Israeli Jews, and can continue to be brutalized and occupied by Israeli Jews has always been regarded as acceptable.
What Israel and its supporters cannot seem to understand is that Israel’s inhumanity, arrogance, supremacy and subjugation of innocent people will forever generate a yearning for freedom, justice and resistance among Palestinians.
When Israel’s supporters and enablers finally understand that their support for Israel’s continued occupation and subjugation of Palestinians will not lead to peace is the day that there will finally be real hope.
Treating Palestinians (and all other people) as equal human beings with justice and dignity, with full human and political rights are the conditions that are necessary if peace is to prevail.
Until such time, Israel’s genocidal attacks against civilians will only result in new generations who will carry on their resistance until they achieve justice and dignity.
May God help and protect the people of Gaza and all innocent people, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds.
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 
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