June 27, 2024
The people running for President have a lot of explaining to do.
As current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump take to the debate stage tonight in Atlanta, the CNN moderators will probably not ask what we would if given the opportunity.
We’d really like straight answers: Do they think unconditional support of Israel’s war aims is truly in the best interests of the United States?
Do they have any concerns at all about a new report that, in addition to the known casualties, there are an additional 20,000 children missing in Gaza? Or whether reports that Israeli air strikes are intentionally targeting Palestinian civilians give them any pause.
The reality is ignoring human rights violations in Palestine is a gruesome bipartisan affair, and the mainstream media has a terrible track record of asking the right questions. Our commitment to human rights transcends partisan politics, even if we have to keep electoral truths and consequences firmly at the forefront of our pressure campaigns.
Strong majorities of Americans across the political spectrum support a change in policy on Palestine. Democrats, Republicans, the majority want a ceasefire now. But the gulf between what Americans want and what elected officials are doing is vast. If we’re going to get the answers and action so sorely needed on this critical issue, it’s going to continue to be up to us to pressure lawmakers to do the right thing. Of course, please come out for ongoing resistance events. You can find local Bay Area events here and national actions here.
Can’t find an action near you? You can make it happen!Here is a wonderful toolkit put together by the Ceasefire 24 Network with step-by-step instructions on how to get organized.
No matter what the candidates say up on the debate stage tonight in Atlanta, we know we still have our own questions. And we won’t stop until we have our answers until we have a ceasefire and an end to occupation and apartheid.