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Op-ed by Mohammed Khaku
We have all heard the common expression that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Ceasefire Now!
Dr. King linked the fight for freedom, equality, and justice for African Americans to the struggle of oppressed people around the world: “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Today I write to my President and my elected official of my district about the struggle of the people of Palestine. I firmly believe in Dr. King’s words, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
The struggle and sufferings of the Palestinian is similar to struggles of African Americans under Jim Crow-era laws, or the struggle of black South Africans under apartheid.
I urge my elected officials to walk in the steps of Dr. King and be the voice of ceasefire and for the people of the oppressed nation of Palestine.
The situation in Gaza has reached a critical juncture, nearing a complete humanitarian catastrophe, and we implore you to take immediate action to secure a ceasefire.
The unstoppable Israeli U.S. armed military juggernaut continues its genocidal destruction of Gaza. The onslaught includes blocking the provision of water, food, medicine, fuel, and electricity.
This openly genocidal orders decreed by Netanyahu, his extreme right-wing party and his bloodthirsty ministers who have said that the Palestinians are “animals.”
The Likud Party states in their charter to create greater Israel from “River Jordan to the Sea” and on September 22, 2023, at the United Nation, Netanyahu presented a map of “The New Middle East” without Palestine.
The atrocities going on day after day for 100 days are being recorded by U.S. drones over Gaza and by brave Palestinian journalists directly targeted by the Israeli army.
Over seventy journalists and larger numbers of their families have been massacred. Israel has excluded foreign and Israeli journalists for years from Gaza.
Seventy-five years of Israel illegal military occupation and violence against defenseless Palestinians provides some food for thought – Israel’s Founder, David Ben-Gurion’s candid statement:
“If I were an Arab leader, I would never sign an agreement with Israel. we have taken their country…They see one thing…we have come, and we have stolen their country. Why would they accept that?”
David Ben-Gurion quoted by Nahum Goldmann in Le Paradoxe Juif (The Jewish Paradox), pp121.
If Dr. King was alive, what would he say?
As he insisted in his 1967 speeches “I consider war an evil. I must cry out when I see war escalate.” It is morally imperative for the President and all the elected officials to call for a ceasefire.
Dr. King would be calling Biden to demand a ceasefire now!
Last week we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. King, and I was in Washington January 13th for the biggest ceasefire rally.
A global day of protests draws thousands to Washington.
https://moekhaku.substack.com/p/a-global-day-of-protests-draws-thousands
If Dr. King were alive today, I feel certain he would have joined the ceasefire marches last weekend and used his voice and his pulpit to press the United States government to do everything in its power for the ceasefire.
In the U.S., protests and demonstrations are everywhere. Many are organized by Jewish human rights groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace, If Not Now, Standing Together, Veterans for Peace and various student organizations.
Everywhere Biden travels there are people from all backgrounds protesting. When he visited Allentown on Friday January 12th demonstrators shouted, “go home, Joe,” and “you’re a loser.”
Over 300 Rabbis, Pope Francis, the head of the U.S. Bishops Conference and the National Council of Churches, representing millions of parishioners, condemned the bombings specially the churches , mosques, Convent, and refugee camps but received little coverage by the Anglo-Saxon Imperialist colonist Zionist media.
MEGA donors are buying politicians and lobbyists are writing our laws, one wonders how has AIPAC and ALEC achieved such domination on Capitol Hill?
Yes, years of relentless lobbying and the smear of “antisemitism” and lawsuits to anyone defying them. According to Jaffry Sac AIPAC and ALEC to date, “37 states have adopted laws, executive orders, or resolutions designed to discourage boycotts against Israel (BDS.)”
Congress is poised to send $14.3 billion to Israeli militarism – a “genocide tax” on U.S. taxpayers – without public hearings. Growing public opinion in the U.S. is against unconditional blank check or support of the Israeli regime.
In just over 100 days, Israeli forces have killed more than 24,500, wounded over 75,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children.
Over 80% of its buildings have been destroyed or damaged. This massive destruction and violence are largely fueled by unconditional U.S. support of Israel via weapons and aid, paid by taxpayers.”
I urge and plea my elected representatives to implement and force Israel for the ceasefire, reconsider your stance on this matter to prioritize peace, justice, uphold international laws, United nations resolutions and nation’s foundational principles of justice, and human rights.
This is the ramp for all of you to exit! Your constituents put you all in the office. Your leadership is crucial and critical on issues of statehood for Palestine.
Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the Palestinian state is not acceptable, it is “river to the sea – greater Israel.”
I urge you not to ignore and to listen to the voices of people – Christians, Jews, Muslims, Black, and Latinos rather than to the powerful lobbies – AIPAC/ALEC and special interest groups MIC.
Coming election Black, Latinos and Muslim (BLM) vote will be the deciding block in all contested states which you need to win. Black, Latinos and Muslims will not heedlessly go to the ballot box to support you.
Many Blacks, Latino and Muslims will simply stay home. Blacks, Latinos and Muslims will play a critical role in deciding you get a second time.
The past two decades we have seen endless proxy (Zionist) wars, failed foreign policy, and blank checks to the occupying Zionist regime.
If you all want your legacy to live forever among the coming generations, please do not misuse this great opportunity to call for Ceasefire Now!
I hope you are aware that many grassroots Jewish, Muslims, Catholics, ecumenical allies, and members of the Christian organization Faithful America are recommending their congregation members to follow the teachings of their faith by staying out of the 2024 election and not supporting the lesser of the evil.
I pledge to mobilize Lehigh Valley Christians, Jews, and Muslim, to withhold endorsement, support, or votes for any candidate who did not advocate for a ceasefire and endorse the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people.
My community and I will hold mobilizing increased voter turnout to make our voices heard. Pennsylvania in the 2020 election was decided by 1.26% (80,555) votes.
We as the humanistic society hereby demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and the establishment of a humanitarian aid to assist the people of Gaza.
Finally, I would request you to read the book “The Voice of Human Justice” by George Jordac and the Book Nahjul Al-Balagha, a collection of sayings of Ali ibn Abu Talib.
Incidentally, this Thursday Jan 25th (13th Rajab) will be the birth anniversary of the icon of Justice – The man who practically demonstrated to the world the concept of human rights and social justice.
He left behind an immortal legacy, which has continued to inspire humanity towards lofty goals of justice in society and adapted by the human rights at United Nation.
To conclude, I hope that this letter reaches you and can give you a clear understanding of the urgency needed to address the above issues. This country is in your hands.
Elected officials govern it wisely. I anticipate your forgiveness if I have erred in writing to you all.
A Proud but Concerned citizen,
Mohammed Khaku
The author of this article was born in Mombasa, Kenya, residing now in PA, USA
For Ceasefire, please call your legislators, the Congressional switchboard is 202-224-3121.
