AFSC
PHILADELPHIA (September 25, 2024) – This week the Israeli army has escalated its deadly bombing campaign on Lebanon, killing over 620 people and wounding thousands. The Israeli Army Chief is now indicating they are preparing for a possible ground invasion. At the same time, Israel’s genocide in Gaza continues, with a death toll of over 41,000. The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) – a Quaker organization that has worked in Palestine since 1948 – condemned Israel’s actions and called for an embargo on U.S. arms to Israel.
“Further escalation and violence is preventable,” said Mike Merryman-Lotze, Just Peace Global Policy Director for AFSC. “For months people and nations across the world have been calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. Hamas has indicated general acceptance of a cease-fire deal proposed this summer by President Biden. Hezbollah has said it would stop attacks on Israel if a permanent cease-fire in Gaza is realized. Instead, Israel made the decision to escalate attacks on Lebanon – including targeted assassinations and the indiscriminate detonation of explosives hidden in electronic devices. The U.S. is complicit in these atrocities as long as it continues to arm and support Israel. We need to stop sending weapons immediately.”
Hezbollah has responded to the attacks by firing hundreds of rockets towards Israel. This escalation follows a year of violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Even prior to this escalation, Israel had launched more than 7800 attacks into Lebanon, and Hezbollah and other groups were responsible for over 1700 attacks on Israel over the past 11 months. Many fear there will be another Israeli occupation of Lebanon reminiscent of the 22-year Israeli military occupation that ended in 2000.
“No one can bomb their way to peace. A cease-fire in Gaza and action to end attacks in Lebanon are necessary to protect all people in the region,” said Kerri Kennedy, AFSC’s Associate General Secretary of International Programs. “An arms embargo will help bring about a political solution and stop a war that could kill tens of thousands of people and increase fear and insecurity for everyone."
AFSC staff in the United States are mobilizing supporters to contact their Congress people and demand that they support an arms embargo on Israel, work to bring about a permanent cease-fire, and hold all parties accountable who have perpetrated war crimes, crimes and crimes against humanity.
Since last October, AFSC staff in Gaza have been serving food, water and hygiene kits to displaced people living in makeshift camps across the Gaza Strip, and have also been hosting activities for children and teens. Working with partners under extremely difficult conditions, AFSC has provided humanitarian aid to more than a million people in Gaza this past year.
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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.