A letter posted on the LinkedIn site with a video of an AVP member reading the letter aloud
Dear Presidential and Elected Office Candidates,
If you aspire to lead this nation, you must act with a conscience. Our unconditional support for Israel is making Americans less safe and fueling anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments, deepening societal divisions. As a superpower, we cannot allow a war criminal like Netanyahu to be rewarded for sabotaging ceasefires, obstructing hostage releases, and escalating conflicts into Lebanon with a massive “terrorist attack” (former CIA Director Leon Panetta.) Netanyahu’s aim to extend the war and evade corruption charges, dragging the United States into a broader conflict with Iran, supported by Russia and China, must be stopped. American soldiers should not be endangered, nor should American tax dollars support an illegal occupation and apartheid system (ICJ, ICC, U.N.).
Nations like Germany, Spain, Canada, and the UK have taken action by suspending certain arms exports due to Israel’s violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). While the U.S. claims to uphold these principles through its Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, recent events expose contradictions in our actions, values, Leahy laws, and the Foreign Assistance Act.
The U.S. Department of Justice aggressively pursues justice for Americans killed abroad by extremists, yet Israeli officials responsible for similar atrocities continue to evade consequences. The killing of American activist Aysenur Eygi by Israeli forces is a stark example of this double standard. This selective application of justice not only undermines our moral authority but also weakens America’s standing as a global leader.
As an occupying power, Israel is bound by law yet consistently disregards these obligations. Widespread reports of detainee rape, torture, mistreatment, ethnic cleansing, and severe human rights abuses in Gaza demand immediate attention. The targeting of civilians is a clear human rights violation and cannot be justified as self-defense.
As a superpower, our foreign policy must reflect our national interests and values. The Geneva Conventions are clear in their protections for those in occupied territories, yet Israel’s actions erode these protections. Ignoring the rule of law allows tyranny to prevail and undermines our credibility.
Across the U.S., a growing movement demands an end to this violence. College students, civil rights groups, faith leaders, and the public call for suspending military support for Israel. An overwhelming 68% of Americans support an immediate ceasefire (Jill Stein, 2024).
America’s ongoing support for policies resulting in human rights violations and the loss of innocent lives jeopardizes our global leadership and tarnishes our legacy. We cannot be remembered as the generation that stood by while atrocities, massive war, crimes, and potential genocide occurred. This is about our moral responsibility to lead with integrity and compassion!
Sincerely,
American Voices for Peace
Email we sent to CAIR, the Council on American Islamic Relations, September 5th, 2024.
Dear Council on American Islamic Relations,
Think of us as an Elder Circle — an aristocracy of the American consciousness rather than an oligarchy of American wealth found too often in our plutocratic and at times kleptocratic worst tendencies of under-governance. We are a natural forming group of military, former military, former appointed government officials, activists, a former national committee member of the Green Party, and former candidates to public office who have a good sense of decency, morality and justice. The situation in Gaza and the West bank is dire and disturbing. This genocide requires our immediate attention above other issues, as people are dying daily and the US is belligerent.
With your help, we call for war termination and enforcement of international law. We do this by applying pressure to the US Presidential Administration to end its complicity in genocide. The International Court of Justice must be supported. Arms shipments must stop! Usurping, killing and terrorizing by the Israelis must stop. Illegal settlements must stop.
We urge everyone to be registered to vote in the November 5th General Election, and to do so as soon as possible. In particular, we ask you to register with the Green Party of the United States, whether you intend to support Jill Stein and the Green Party or not. The rapid increase in Green registration numbers will send a clear message that we want an end to the genocide in Gaza. That’s it. It will catch the attention of Kamala Harris and put pressure on the administration to move faster toward Peace (kind of like a single issue “vote” before the actual vote).
There is strength in numbers. We are reaching out to multiple organizations to do this, as a serious action to end the nightmare. If Kamala Harris pays attention and distances herself from Biden, Democrats can vote for her even while still registered Green (unlike during the Primary season when you have to stick with your party). If the Administration does not budge, the vote could go any which way: Cornel West, Jill Stein, “lesser evil” votes for Harris to stop Trump, or half the people, per usual, not bothering to vote. This “bluff” will work since Jill Stein is on enough ballots to actually win, should conditions allow it.
We welcome your response. Again, spread the word to everyone who is of voting age to register with the Green Party of the United States wherever possible, and do so quickly as a “vote” for Peace.
Sincerely,
American Voices for Peace (AVP)
URGENT !! Will the Mayor raise her voice for the people of Palestine facing Genocide by Israel, funded by the US?
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2024
Dear Mayor Rhodes-Conway,
I am asking that the voices of leadership in Madison and Wisconsin stand up for the people of Palestine who are facing dire circumstances as a result of the Genocide being waged against them. As you may be aware, the Israeli government is backed by US arms. Recently they were found guilty of war crimes but nothing has been done to stop them. Every day I receive requests directly from members of Palestinian families who have been utterly destroyed. These innocent people are begging for us to stop the massacre of their children. It is not a war, it is a Genocide. You can find countless videos on LinkedIn showing the footage and evidence of these crimes.
Madison, our liberal voice, needs to speak out against these atrocities. Urgently!!
Thank you,
(name withheld)
Madison, WI 53704
