CHRISTIANS IN GAZA ARE BEING WIPED OUT

Dear[MP NAME],

I am writing to you with continued concern regarding the situation in Palestine, particularly to highlight the silence on the plight of the Christian community in Gaza. It is imperative that we address the ongoing oppression and violence faced by innocent civilians, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.

The portrayal of the situation in Palestine as a ‘conflict’ between Muslims and Jews is a dangerous and uneducated position. Such categorisations not only fail to capture the nuances of the situation but also risk perpetuating misinformation and bias.

It is essential to recognise that the Christian community in Gaza has also faced long-standing challenges, which have been further exacerbated by Israel’s blockade of the region. This blockade, in place for 17 years, has severely impacted living conditions and access to essential services, leading to illness, isolation, and, tragically, loss of life.

Recent events, including the Israeli bombing of the Church of Saint Porphyrius on October 19th, have highlighted the grave dangers faced by Christians in Gaza. The loss of lives, including innocent civilians, in such attacks is deeply distressing and demands immediate attention and action.

Furthermore, the lack of response from leaders of Christian-majority countries to the plight of their fellow believers in Gaza is concerning. This silence not only fails to address the suffering of innocent civilians but also raises questions about the principles of solidarity and justice within the international community.

As Pope Francis has aptly stated, the actions of Israeli forces in Gaza, including the killing of unarmed civilians seeking shelter in churches, constitute acts of terrorism that must be condemned unequivocally. It is incumbent upon us, as representatives of our communities, to speak out against such atrocities and to advocate for the protection of innocent lives.

I urge you to back the implementation of immediate sanctions against Israel to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza, and call for concrete measures to address the root causes of violence and oppression in the region. Additionally, I implore you to press for accountability for those responsible for human rights violations.

Many weeks have now passed since the UN Security Council voted for an immediate ceasefire and the start of hostage returns—a proposition to which Hamas has agreed—however Israel refuses to comply still. Israel’s non-compliance, despite being on trial for genocide at The Hague and ignoring pleas from its closest allies, underscores its rogue status. The vote did not call for a ceasefire to be conditional on the exchange of any hostages, meaning there is no excuse for refusing its implementation.

The evidence of genocide being committed is becoming ever more irrefutable, as leading Israeli politicians continue to use rhetoric of genocidal intent and the government announces plans that require the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza. I write to you today to ensure that you cannot claim ignorance of these facts. The urgency and severity of these war crimes cannot be overstated, and it is imperative that we act with conviction and clarity in response.

Sanctions are needed NOW, alongside a full arms embargo and permanent change to policies around Israel while it continues to operate what Amnesty International describes as an Apartheid State. 

Your constituent,

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