On May 15, Palestinians mark 77 years of the Nakba, or catastrophe.  In 1948, more than 750,000 Palestinians became refugees, forced from their communities, displaced and dispossessed of their homes and property following Israel’s declaration of statehood at the end of British mandate control.  Today, decades later, Palestinians experience an “ongoing Nakba” with continuing restrictions, violations of rights, and no clear pathway to self-determination.  Rep. Rashida Tlaib has introduced a resolution in Congress to recognize the Palestinian Nakba and refugee rights.

Since October 2023, Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza has left more than 52,000 Palestinians dead, and 118,000 injured, according to the UN.  This month has seen repeated reports of starvation of Palestinians in Gaza due to the most recent intensification of the Israeli blockade that has cut off food, water, medical supplies, and fuel.  The World Food Program has run out of food, worsening the situation to dire degrees.  Israel has been accused at the International Court of Justice of “using food as a weapon.”  The US and Israel have hinted that they are prepared to unveil a new plan to deliver humanitarian support, but UNICEF has said that it would only increase the suffering of children and families.  An Israeli cabinet member has described the war in Gaza as “Nakba 2023” without acknowledging the 1948 Nakba.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is directly related to Israel’s ongoing military campaign there (and which has extended into the West Bank and the wider Middle East), which Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed to continue “with full force” in the coming days.  Both must end immediately.

Call or write your elected officials and tell them Israel’s war on Gaza and Palestinians – and US support for Israel’s inhumane and illegal treatment of Palestinians – must end.  Insist that a principled humanitarian response – one that is not militarized or subcontracted and that allows free and unimpeded access to needed food, water and supplies – must be expedited to avoid further suffering.  The US has the leverage to insist on both and US pressure would have prompt impact.