JJP lobbies the American Embassy about Gaza

On 2 November, JJP lobbied the American Embassy for the United States to stop resupplying Israeli ammunition and weaponry immediately and to insist on a ceasefire. That is the only way to stop this Israeli government from continuing to bomb Gaza and to protect the Palestinian population of Gaza from further major harm.

Our letter is below.

2 November 2023

Joseph Pennington 

Minister Counselor for Political Affairs, Embassy of the United States

Dear Mr. Pennington,

We are writing about the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians and the collective punishment which Israel has been inflicting on the Palestinians in Gaza for three weeks.

The Hamas attack was a war crime and a crime against humanity. However, the same can be said of Israel’s collective punishment of Gaza because it is flouting the principles of proportionality and discrimination which are central to protection of civilians in time of war.

The American administration has repeatedly advised the Israeli government to adhere to the laws of war, yet it has also promised to provide Israel with all the weaponry and ammunition it requests in order to continue prosecuting its attacks.

Those two policies are incompatible. Israel’s declared intention in its bombing campaign is to inflict damage, not to be precise. It has put that into practice. It will not adhere to the laws of war while the United States continues to resupply everything it wants.

We therefore urge your government to stop resupplying Israel now and to insist on a ceasefire. That is the only way to stop this Israeli government from continuing to bomb Gaza and to protect the Palestinian population of Gaza from further major harm.

We will be writing again shortly to seek a meeting to discuss the long-term situation in the Middle East which has become much more dangerous than before. We believe the issues now include materially increased risks to American embassies and offices, increased risks to US geopolitical interests and, last but by no means least, increased risks of terror attacks in the United States itself. And of course, the Palestinians’ need for justice and security and the Israelis need for security have become much more pressing.

Yours sincerely,

Arthur Goodman

Diplomatic and Parliamentary Officer.