We, the undersigned groups and concerned citizens of Washington, call on our elected representatives to take urgent action that supports achieving justice and peace in Palestine. 

More than 1,000 people in Israel were kidnapped or killed on October 7th. Since then, more than 24,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and in the West Bank. According to the United Nations, 40 percent of those killed are children. In addition, tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have suffered life-altering injuries. The scale of human suffering shocks our collective humanity and conscience.

Violence and destruction that harms civilians is unacceptable. With deep despair, we witness the collective punishment of 2.3 million people in Gaza, half of whom are children. The majority of people in Gaza no longer have homes, hospitals, schools, or access to sufficient food or clean water. They need immediate and long-term assistance to survive. 

When Israel’s military offensive ends, the work for lasting peace must begin. The work to address decades of displacement and occupation that Palestinians have experienced must begin. We call on our elected representatives to show leadership by advocating for peace in the region with diplomatic solutions. 

Wars abroad affect us at home. The U.S. has seen an increase in hate crimes, anti-Arab rhetoric, Islamophobia, and antisemitism. Our elected representatives have a responsibility to protect communities in Washington from racism and bigotry. 

We expect our elected representatives to be voices for human rights, peace, and justice. Human rights are universal, and we are all connected.

Our coalition seeks urgent action from representatives in Olympia and Congress on the following requests:

1. Call for an immediate long-term ceasefire to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

2. Call for an end to the siege and blockade on Gaza and allow unrestricted access for humanitarian aid.

3. Authorize humanitarian aid in Congress to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians at a level commensurate with the actual needs.

4. Demand the U.S. play a role in securing the release of Palestinians, including children, who are unlawfully detained by Israeli forces, and the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

5. Demand an end to U.S. military aid to Israel funded with taxpayer dollars.  

6. Call for protection of journalists and unrestricted press access in Palestine without interference from governments.

7. Protect the free speech and safety of people who speak for peace and justice, and who speak against harm committed by governments, political movements, corporations, and institutions.

8. Pursue policies that will end the illegal occupation of Palestine, and dismantlement of the apartheid system that Israel imposes on Palestinians, as leading human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have advocated.

9. Pursue diplomatic solutions for peace, freedom, equality, and justice for Palestinians, including Palestinian refugees, and Israelis.

10. Demand that social media platforms not engage in censorship related to Palestine.

11. Condemn rhetoric and actions that increase anti-Arab, Islamophobic, and antisemitic acts and endanger communities in Washington.

12. Add Palestine to the list of countries eligible for Temporary Protected Status and/or Deferred Enforced Departure.

Washington Coalition for Peace and Justice

Access to Our Community (ATOC)
Afghans of Seattle

Alki United Church of Christ

American Muslim Advancement Council (AMAC)

Americans for Refugees and Immigrants 

An-Nisa Network

Architecture for Refugees-USA

Asian Counseling and Referral Service

Basic Elements Therapy

Bellingham Deaf and Disability Justice Collective

Birchwood Food Desert Fighters

Bishop's Committee for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land

CAIR Washington

Church Council of Greater Seattle

Columbia City Church of Hope

Global Solidarity Network Seattle 

Indivisible Eastside - WA

Jewish Voice for Peace - Seattle (JVP Seattle)

Jewish Voice for Peace/Tacoma

Kadima Reconstructionist Community 

Kitsap Women In Black

Lishkon Ba'Arafel

Mothers For Police Accountability 

Muslim Health Professionals 

Orcas Island Worship Group (Quaker)

Palestine Action of South Sound (PASS)

Palestine-Israel-Network of Puget Sound

Queer Mikveh Project

Seattle Anti-War Coalition

Seattle East Timor Relief Association

Seattle IfNotNow

Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi

Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

The Center for Global Muslim Life

The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice

The Vera Project

The Whatcom Peace and Justice Center

Vancouver for Peace

Veterans For Peace Spokane Chapter 35

Washington Advocates for Palestinian Rights

Washington Against Nuclear Weapons

Washington Ethnic Studies Now

Western WA Fellowship of Reconciliation Seattle Chapter