This week marked 100 days since the start of the second Trump administration. A lot has happened over that time. Each day brings new attacks on our neighbors, our rights, and our democracy.
Amid all the chaos, it is easy to lose sight of what is happening elsewhere in the world – like in Gaza. We must not forget Gaza and all the people trapped or held hostage there.
Today marks two months since the Israeli government implemented a total shutdown on aid to Gaza. No food, water, medicine, or fuel have entered the territory. Only bombs. No aid trucks have come through the border to bring relief. Only Israeli tanks and soldiers bringing destruction.
The consequences for Palestinians trapped in Gaza are devastating and growing worse daily. As the U.N. World Food Program warned, the crisis has reached a “breaking point.” Gaza is being pushed to the brink of famine. Food stocks have run empty. Children are starving, with a staggering 65,000 suffering from severe malnutrition.
The United States cannot turn a blind eye to this unfolding catastrophe. Congress must act now to demand the immediate flow of aid to the people desperately in need.
The Israeli government is defending its siege by citing unsupported claims of systematic diversion of aid by Hamas. But the bottom line is that the collective punishment and starvation of Gaza’s population is both unjustified and unjustifiable. It is a war crime in clear violation of U.S. and international law.
Failing to act now will deepen the already enormous damage this war has done to the credibility and reputation of the U.S. and Israel. Our leaders must not stand by or make excuses as children starve and die. Tens of thousands of people are at risk. As FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab wrote, “humanity is at stake.” There is no time to lose.
Join us and Tell Your Members of Congress: Gaza Needs Relief Now!
Elsewhere
Gun Violence Prevention Programs Cut
The Trump administration canceled grants for community-led violence interrupter programs. These programs, which we have lobbied for, are proving effective in making our communities safer from the threat of gun violence. Congress must pressure the Trump administration to restore these grants.
Trump Immigration Cruelty
The Trump administration has continued to demonstrate cruelty and a contempt for due process as it attempts to detain and deport millions of people. Conditions in immigration detention centers are horrific. People are being detained and deported without adequate protections – even toddlers are in courtrooms without lawyers.
Judges have continued to push back against the administration’s actions. This week, one Columbia student who was detained for pro-Palestine activism was released on bail over government objections. A judge also blocked implementation of the Alien Enemies Act, which the Trump administration is trying to abuse to speed its deportation machine.
Congress is moving forward with a massive handout to deport more people. The House of Representatives is considering legislation which would give tens of billions of dollars to cage and deport people made in God’s image.
Join our call and demand that Congress not feed Trump’s deportation machine!
New from FCNL
- FCNL’s Shawn Adams wrote about the dangers of nuclear testing and why it is crucial to maintain the world’s moratorium on further detonations.
- Rep. Gregory Steube (FL-17) just introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against certain drug cartels in Mexico. FCNL’s Devra Baxter covers why war in Mexico would be dangerous and ineffective.
- This April has been an advocacy whirlwind! FCNL’s Justin Hurdle gives some statistics and tells some stories about the successes of citizen lobbyists and how people have told their stories and built relationships in a difficult time.
