SPECIAL UPDATES will be available weekly as needed. This update concerns the Gaza Fence Protests between the Palestinians of Gaza and the Israeli Defense Forces. Please note: Opinions expressed in the following articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.
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1. Take Action: Tell Congress: Support human rights, hold Israel accountable
Let Congress know that there are Christians calling for the respect of Palestinian rights and the end to the use of violence by Israeli forces against the protesters in Gaza. Read more…
“Israeli army says 'violent rioters and terrorists' throwing firebombs along Gaza border in third week of demonstrations .Protesters: Marches meant to be 'nonviolent resistance.'
“One Palestinian was killed and 233 were wounded (today) by live Israeli fire as more than 10,000 protested along the Israel-Gaza border on Friday, burning tires and Israeli flags, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
“Overall, almost 1,300 Palestinians were shot and wounded by Israeli soldiers over the past couple of weeks of mass protests on the Gaza-Israel border, according to a computerized count by the Gaza Health Ministry. An additional 1,554 Gazans have been treated for tear gas inhalation or injuries by rubber-coated steel pellets.
“In addition, 34 Palestinians have been killed during this period, including 27 in border demonstrations.” … Read more…
See also: “10 staggering images from the Gaza-Israel border violence”
3. “It's a Disgrace to Be an Israeli These Days,” Nehemia Shtrasler, Haaretz, April 13, 2018
“'I was just following orders': What will you tell your children?
“Okay, I get it. You can’t say ‘I’m ashamed to be Israeli.’ After saying that, you have to apologize to avoid being fired.
“If so, is it okay to say I was shocked? That I couldn’t believe what I was hearing? That I felt an overwhelming nausea rising deep in my gut at hearing the number of people killed and wounded in Palestinian demonstrations near the Israel-Gaza border?
“It’s legitimate to order the army to keep the demonstrators from crossing into Israel from the Gaza Strip, but it must do so by nonlethal means: water cannons, tear gas grenades and sponge-tipped bullets aimed at demonstrators’ legs. Anything but live bullets, and certainly not live bullets aimed to kill.”… Read more…
See also:
“Video shows motionless Palestinian shot by Israeli sniper to sound of soldiers' cheers”
"Gaza killings? Don't believe a word Israel says”
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