The US Embassy in Israel opened on Monday, and while Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner - two unelected and unqualified people - smiled for selfies, the Israeli army was shooting up unarmed protestors.
Since March 30, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have held protests near the Israeli border to protest the draconian blockade the territory has been under since 2007 as well as the occupation of Palestinian lands.
In response, Israel has made use of its "shoot first" policy on the border – that is, anyone, even if they are unarmed, can be deemed a security threat to be fatally neutralized. So far, at least 33 Palestinians have been shot dead; another 1,300 have been shot and 1,500 others have been hospitalized. Snipers are seemingly targeting demonstrators indiscriminately. Even journalists are being attacked, with at least one member of the press so far confirmed killed by Israeli gunfire.
Israel's current tactics do not encourage peaceful resolution, instead doing quite the opposite. Worse, what is happening is a gross violation of human rights and could even be termed a slow massacre.
Though Israel's leaders seem content to continue on this course, the international community has a responsibility to put the pressure on to end these atrocities. The United States, given its relationship with Israel and its historical role in conflict mediation, must not turn a blind eye to this crisis and it must condemn Israel.
Add your name to this petition to tell acting Secretary of State John Sullivan and future Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to take a firm stance to defend the human rights of the protesters in the Gaza Strip!
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