Take Action! Denounce the Raid on Human Rights Organizations

Dear all,

At 3 am on December 11, the Israeli army raided the offices of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committee (UPWC), and the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO).  Soldiers destroyed furniture, office appliances, ransacked filing cabinets, and confiscated computers, computer hard drives, and video cameras.

AFSC works with Palestinian non-governmental organizations in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza to end the occupation, achieve equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis, and recognize the right of return of refugees.  Israeli army raids against Addameer, PNGO and UPWC are a violation of the right to freedom of association and expression.  These actions further threaten prospects for a nonviolent future where all Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace and security. The U.S. should urge the Israeli government to immediately provide reparation for the damage caused by these raids and return the material and equipment taken by the Israeli army.

Please call Chris Hegadorn, the U.S. State Department’s Acting Director for the office of Israel and Palestinian affairs: 202-647-3672 or send a message via the web  http://contact-us.state.gov/app/ask/session/L3RpbWUvMTM1NTM0ODI3Ny9zaWQveXZqZVdBZGw%3D

Also send a message to President Obama at the White House General comment line:  202-456-1111

Tell U.S. officials that you want the U.S. government to issue a strong public statement against this Israeli army raid on human rights defenders and organizations in Ramallah.

Peace and Solidarity,

AFSC Middle East Program