Healthcare Workers Who Support Israel


Healthcare Workers Who Support Israel
The Issue
Please include your degree and healthcare profession right after your last name when you sign.
Dear Joseph R. Biden Jr, the President of the United States; Kamala D. Harris, Vice President of the United States; Members of the United States Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
We are a group of concerned healthcare workers who have dedicated our professional lives to caring for others. We come from multiple backgrounds, political affiliations and religions, and are united by our shared belief in the value of life and human dignity. We are writing to urge you, as our elected officials, to fully support Israel in its efforts to defend itself against Hamas, to demand the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and to continue to stand against rising antisemitism in our country.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists entered the State of Israel and murdered over 1,400 innocent civilians in cold blood, including at least 31 Americans. As healthcare workers, we were horrified to learn the details of this terrorist attack, which included rape, beheadings, dismemberment, and burning both children and adults alive. Hamas terrorists also kidnapped at least 240 hostages (several of whom are Americans) who are held captive in Gaza. According to Article 34 of the Geneva Convention, the taking of civilian hostages is clearly and directly prohibited.
President Biden affirmed that Israel has the “right to respond — indeed has a duty to respond” to this horrific attack in his 10/10/23 national address. Yet Israel’s response is complicated by the well-documented fact that Hamas has established its operations within civilian neighborhoods and buildings. In fact, Hamas is directly endangering the safety and lives of Palestinian civilians by building terrorist headquarters underneath the Al-Shifa hospital, storing weapons in schools, mosques, and hospitals, and firing rockets from civilian areas. They have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars meant for international humanitarian aid, using it to build a terrorist infrastructure (including more than 300 miles of underground tunnels for Hamas militants), rather than investing in basic needs for its civilians. As healthcare workers, we are especially upset to hear that Hamas has stockpiled vast amounts of fuel for its attacks against civilians in Israel (including fuel and also medical supplies stolen from UNRWA) while leaving Gaza’s hospitals and desalination plants to run out of the fuel they need to continue functioning. Additionally, Hamas has even publicly declared that they do not feel responsible for the protection of their own people.
While some call for a ceasefire, Hamas openly calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and the murder of Jewish people around the world. Hamas leaders have already made clear their intentions to repeat the horrific attacks of October 7. Further, Hamas openly denounces America and our values, and has threatened to extend their operations beyond Israel’s borders.
Alongside the atrocities that occurred in Israel and the immense suffering in both Israel and Gaza, people around the world are unfurling an antisemitic campaign eerily reminiscent of the years prior to World War II. Antisemitism in the USA has increased nearly 400% since the attack on October 7. False claims (e.g. blaming Israel for the blast at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, which in fact resulted from misfired terrorist rockets aimed at Israeli civilians) and misinformation about the complex history and relationship between Israel and Gaza abound. These are fueling the fires of hatred and violence directed toward Jewish people worldwide.
Citizens of Israel have the right to live in peace and safety, without the constant threat of rocket bombardment and terror attacks. Residents of Gaza have the right to live in peace and safety, free from the oppressive rule of a terrorist organization that prioritizes destroying Israel over the needs and safety of its own people. And all Americans deserve to feel safe and protected in this country, regardless of race, religion or nationality.
Our requests for you, as our elected officials, therefore include the following:
1. Continue to fully support our ally, Israel, and its right to defend itself against Hamas (and any others that may join in attacking it) and to respond to the horrific attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
2. Demand the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza.
3. Continue to condemn the terrorist group Hamas, whose existence is a threat to the lives of all citizens in Israel, to Jewish people worldwide, and to all who share our values. Demand the dismantling of Hamas to allow for a governing entity that can provide for the people of Gaza’s basic human needs, including safety, clean water, food, and medical care. Without the removal of Hamas, no humanitarian work will ever fully benefit the residents of Gaza.
4. Ensure that any humanitarian aid sent to the civilians of Gaza reaches its intended recipients and does not end up in the hands of Hamas.
5. Continue to take strong action against all forms of antisemitism in this country, whether online, in the news, or on the streets. Implement and build upon the 2023 U.S. National Strategy To Counter Antisemitism. Take strong action against antisemitic threats, rhetoric and actions at schools and on college campuses. Ensure that Jews feel safe in this country, and that antisemitism, just like all other forms of religious, racial, or ethnic discrimination, will not be tolerated.
As health care workers, we mourn the loss of every life and want to express our support for all innocent people who are currently suffering or living in fear as a result of this war, whether in Israel, Gaza, the U.S., or anywhere else. And we are calling on you to please help with the above requests to help lay the foundation for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East and to make sure that “there is no place for hate in America.”
PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING:
- When signing this petition, please include your degree/ occupation together with your last name in the signature. (If you are not a healthcare worker, your support is appreciated but please do not sign below. Instead, please contact your government representatives directly.)
- Please also copy the text above and send it directly to your elected officials (emails and calls are both very helpful!):
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
3,850
The Issue
Please include your degree and healthcare profession right after your last name when you sign.
Dear Joseph R. Biden Jr, the President of the United States; Kamala D. Harris, Vice President of the United States; Members of the United States Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:
We are a group of concerned healthcare workers who have dedicated our professional lives to caring for others. We come from multiple backgrounds, political affiliations and religions, and are united by our shared belief in the value of life and human dignity. We are writing to urge you, as our elected officials, to fully support Israel in its efforts to defend itself against Hamas, to demand the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and to continue to stand against rising antisemitism in our country.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists entered the State of Israel and murdered over 1,400 innocent civilians in cold blood, including at least 31 Americans. As healthcare workers, we were horrified to learn the details of this terrorist attack, which included rape, beheadings, dismemberment, and burning both children and adults alive. Hamas terrorists also kidnapped at least 240 hostages (several of whom are Americans) who are held captive in Gaza. According to Article 34 of the Geneva Convention, the taking of civilian hostages is clearly and directly prohibited.
President Biden affirmed that Israel has the “right to respond — indeed has a duty to respond” to this horrific attack in his 10/10/23 national address. Yet Israel’s response is complicated by the well-documented fact that Hamas has established its operations within civilian neighborhoods and buildings. In fact, Hamas is directly endangering the safety and lives of Palestinian civilians by building terrorist headquarters underneath the Al-Shifa hospital, storing weapons in schools, mosques, and hospitals, and firing rockets from civilian areas. They have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars meant for international humanitarian aid, using it to build a terrorist infrastructure (including more than 300 miles of underground tunnels for Hamas militants), rather than investing in basic needs for its civilians. As healthcare workers, we are especially upset to hear that Hamas has stockpiled vast amounts of fuel for its attacks against civilians in Israel (including fuel and also medical supplies stolen from UNRWA) while leaving Gaza’s hospitals and desalination plants to run out of the fuel they need to continue functioning. Additionally, Hamas has even publicly declared that they do not feel responsible for the protection of their own people.
While some call for a ceasefire, Hamas openly calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and the murder of Jewish people around the world. Hamas leaders have already made clear their intentions to repeat the horrific attacks of October 7. Further, Hamas openly denounces America and our values, and has threatened to extend their operations beyond Israel’s borders.
Alongside the atrocities that occurred in Israel and the immense suffering in both Israel and Gaza, people around the world are unfurling an antisemitic campaign eerily reminiscent of the years prior to World War II. Antisemitism in the USA has increased nearly 400% since the attack on October 7. False claims (e.g. blaming Israel for the blast at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, which in fact resulted from misfired terrorist rockets aimed at Israeli civilians) and misinformation about the complex history and relationship between Israel and Gaza abound. These are fueling the fires of hatred and violence directed toward Jewish people worldwide.
Citizens of Israel have the right to live in peace and safety, without the constant threat of rocket bombardment and terror attacks. Residents of Gaza have the right to live in peace and safety, free from the oppressive rule of a terrorist organization that prioritizes destroying Israel over the needs and safety of its own people. And all Americans deserve to feel safe and protected in this country, regardless of race, religion or nationality.
Our requests for you, as our elected officials, therefore include the following:
1. Continue to fully support our ally, Israel, and its right to defend itself against Hamas (and any others that may join in attacking it) and to respond to the horrific attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
2. Demand the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza.
3. Continue to condemn the terrorist group Hamas, whose existence is a threat to the lives of all citizens in Israel, to Jewish people worldwide, and to all who share our values. Demand the dismantling of Hamas to allow for a governing entity that can provide for the people of Gaza’s basic human needs, including safety, clean water, food, and medical care. Without the removal of Hamas, no humanitarian work will ever fully benefit the residents of Gaza.
4. Ensure that any humanitarian aid sent to the civilians of Gaza reaches its intended recipients and does not end up in the hands of Hamas.
5. Continue to take strong action against all forms of antisemitism in this country, whether online, in the news, or on the streets. Implement and build upon the 2023 U.S. National Strategy To Counter Antisemitism. Take strong action against antisemitic threats, rhetoric and actions at schools and on college campuses. Ensure that Jews feel safe in this country, and that antisemitism, just like all other forms of religious, racial, or ethnic discrimination, will not be tolerated.
As health care workers, we mourn the loss of every life and want to express our support for all innocent people who are currently suffering or living in fear as a result of this war, whether in Israel, Gaza, the U.S., or anywhere else. And we are calling on you to please help with the above requests to help lay the foundation for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East and to make sure that “there is no place for hate in America.”
PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING:
- When signing this petition, please include your degree/ occupation together with your last name in the signature. (If you are not a healthcare worker, your support is appreciated but please do not sign below. Instead, please contact your government representatives directly.)
- Please also copy the text above and send it directly to your elected officials (emails and calls are both very helpful!):
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
3,850
Supporter Voices
Petition created on November 8, 2023