As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the JCRC remains in touch with American, Israeli and other sources and is updated regularly. We have released a statement supporting the people of Israel and are urging elected officials, leaders and other influentials throughout the region to express their support for Israel, defend its right to use military force to protect its citizens, and to hold Hamas responsible for the escalation in violence.
TAKE ACTION!
The best ways supporters of Israel can help is by:
- Write letters to the editors of newspapers, comments on blogs, and call in to talk radio
- Contact your Member of Congress and urge him/her to issue a statement of solidarity with Israel
- Monitor the media and contact us if you hear any anti-Israel bias, so that we can respond as warranted.
Support Israeli Soldiers:
- Friends of the IDF is collecting money to purchase care packages for soldiers in Gaza (everything from socks to Bamba to crossword puzzles). To donate online and for more information please visit www.israelisoldiers.org
- Magen David Adom is in dire need of helmets, bullet proof vests and portable bomb shelters so they can be protected when treating the wounded in unprotected areas. To donate online and for more information please visit www.AFMDA.org
- If you are or will be in Israel, please donate blood. Contact jfeldstein@afmda.org for more information on donating blood in Israel.
Support our Brothers, Sisters and Friends in Southern Israel:
- BINA Center for Jewish Identity and Hebrew Culture has taken responsibility for 40 children in Beer Sheva whose parents are out at work each day. BINA volunteers provide care and informal education for the children, in two bomb shelters in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods, aged four to 14. Please contact Steve@nif.org for more information on how to donate and/or help.
- Council for the Unrecognized Negev Bedouin Villages need help protecting their community, who are both fighting on the front lines in Gaza and being attacked by mortar and rocket fire. Please contact Steve@nif.org for more information on how to donate and/or help.
- The Israel Project is an international non-profit organization devoted to educating the press and the public about Israel while promoting security, freedom and peace. The Israel Project provides journalists, leaders and opinion-makers accurate information about Israel. Please visit www.theisraelproject.org for information on how to donate.
Volunteer in Israel:
- Volunteers for Israel needs more volunteers in Israel right now; spend 1-3 weeks volunteering at an army base or hospital. For more information please visit www.vfi-usa.org.
- Magen David Adom Ambulance Volunteer Program. For more information contact Adi Fargonat AdiFa@jafi.org.
Talking Points:
- Israel has shown restraint. Over 6,300 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza towards Israel since the latter's withdrawal in 2005 that's about 1 every three hours; more than 3000 were fired in 2008 alone.
- Israel has a right to protect its citizens. Israel is not fighting the Palestinian people, it is fighting the terrorist organization, Hamas which has vowed the destruction of Israel. Operation "Cast Lead" is a defensive operation designed to stop Hamas from launching rockets and mortars against Israel; it is a counterattack in every sense of the word. Every government has the duty and right to protect its citizens.
- Israel is making every effort to avoid civilian casualties. Israel is targeting Hamas installations only. Every effort has been taken to minimize civilian casualties. We are saddened by the deaths of any innocent civilians. At the same time, Hamas bears the responsibility as Hamas terrorists hide among the civilian population using them as human shields. The contrast is striking. Hamas intentionally targets civilians; Israel makes every effort to minimize civilian casualties.
- Israel desires a secure peace with its neighbors. Israel is engaged in the peace process with the Palestinian Authority and supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the past Israel has made sacrifices for the sake of peace and is quite willing to do so again for a better future for all sides. Israel gave up the entire Sinai Peninsula for peace with Egypt, which has resulted in a quiet border for the last 30 years.
Quantify the impact on Israelis:
- Over 50 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip today (December 29, 2008) alone.
- Rocket attacks increased by 500 percent after Israel withdrew completely from the Gaza Strip in August 2005.
- The rockets have increased not only in number but also in range; they are now able to reach Yavneh, some 60 km (37 miles) away from Gaza; more than 700,000 Israelis are now in range of the rockets.
- The rocket barrage has resulted in at least thirteen deaths, more than 780 wounded and tens of thousands traumatized, including thousands of children.
- Over 90 percent of Sderot residents have experienced a rocket exploding on their own street or an adjacent one.
- For more than three years families in southern Israel have spent nights in bomb shelters rather than bedrooms; during the day school children, adults and the elderly are forced to run for bomb shelters on a regular basis.
Additional sources of information:
United Jewish Communities (UJC)
The Israel Project
Where to send your letters:
