CMEP Action Alert: Tell Congress to Respond to Settler Violence and Protect Palestinian Lives
As Palestinians in Gaza face Israel’s harmful aid policies, increasing territorial encroachment, and continued bombardment of civilians, Palestinians in the West Bank face their own threats. Since October 7th, 2023, illegal Israeli settlements have grown and spread across the West Bank in complete contravention of international and even Israeli law. These settlements undermine Palestinian access to critical natural resources and land and undermine hope for a just and lasting solution. Furthermore, the Israeli settlers at the forefront of these illegal land grabs assault Palestinians with almost no punishment from the Israeli justice system — and many times are aided by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). To stop this violence, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) calls for immediate U.S pressure on Israel to stop approving settlements and prosecute those that commit crimes against Palestinians. By calling on Congress to pressure the State Department for a stronger U.S policy towards Israel, you can help create real peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
As the Holy Land holds significance for all of the Abrahamic religions, these illegal settlements and accompanying settler violence threaten this sacredness. Amid the Christian population already shrinking in the West Bank, Christian villages have been particularly targeted by the military and settlers. Recently, settlers burned agricultural fields tied to the Christian village of Taybeh, and seized church property in East Jerusalem for a planned settlement project. In this way, settler violence limits the religious freedom of the Palestinians just as it threatens their rights to autonomy and bodily integrity.
Help protect Palestinians of all faiths in the West Bank. Illegal settlements infringe on Palestinian rights to safety, self-determination, and religious freedom alongside endangering the prospects of a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Calling on your member of Congress to bring this concern to the State Department is essential to protecting that potential for peace from the danger it now faces.
Click here to send an email your elected officials to help protect Palestinian lives.