“Starvation as a weapon of war.”
Palestinian voices have never been more urgent.
“This is the fastest decline in a population’s nutrition status ever recorded. That means children are being starved at the fastest rate the world has ever seen.”—Melanie Ward, Medical Aid for Palestinians.
1 MARCH—The news coming out of Gaza grows worse by the day, although we think each day it cannot get worse. The entire area is now on the verge of tipping into a famine. Half a million people are facing imminent starvation, according to senior U.N. officials. Yesterday, in northern Gaza, Israel opened fire on people as they crowded desprately around aid trucks in what is now being called the Flour Massacre. More than 100 people were killed, more than 700 wounded.
In the West Bank, Palestinians live in fear of what the Israelis will do to them once the IDF is finished in Gaza. The Israeli authorities have killed more than 380 West Bank Palestinians since 7 October. This does not include the many killed by rabid right-wing settlers, who terrorize their Palestinian neighbors with impunity and the support of the IDF.
As this catastrophe worsens, at this point surpassing al–Nakba in brutality, it is ever more urgent that Palestinian voices are heard. Especially in the United States, which continues to provide billions of dollars in weapons for Israel’s genocide.
And so we come to you again to ask for your help to complete the fundraising for our “Palestinian Voices” project. We are most of the way there and are eager to cross the finish line.
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While U.S. media continue to spin the Flour Massacre to Israel’s advantage, Algeria’s ambassador to the U.N. has accused the Zionist state of using starvation as a tool of war. As always, children suffer the most. The children of Gaza are now starving to death and dying of disease and malnutrition. This was entirely preventable and is the direct consequence of Israel’s policy of withholding food and the delivery of humanitarian aid, according to Melanie Ward, CEO of the non-profit organization Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Egypt is reportedly building what appears to be a large open-air prison along its border with Rafah to accommodate Palestinian refugees. Once it is finished, Israel will almost certainly unleash a campaign of terror intended to drive Palestinians out of Gaza and into the Sinai. Thus will Israel’s final solution be realized, as it cleanses Gaza of its Palestinian inhabitants.
Standing by silently under these circumstances does not seem to us an option. “Palestinian Voices” is one way we can respond humanely, conscientiously, and together.
We are pleased to report that two-thirds of our fundraising goal has been met. But we still have $2,000 left to raise. It is critical that we complete this funding campaign as quickly as possible. Cara is working hard on preparations for her trip to the West Bank and will be able to give planning her full attention only when we have completed raising funds.
If you have already donated, we thank you once again! If you have not, please consider making a contribution. It is urgent, and we can get this done together. You can donate here at GoFundMe: Palestinian Voices.
Please also spread the word through friends and social media. And please ask your friends to direct people to the GoFundMe campaign: Palestinian Voices. This is an important, effective way to complete the funding drive.
GoFundMe accepts debit and credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and Google Pay. Alternatively, you can send a check to this address:Cara MariAnna 2211 Teal Court Bellingham, WA 98229
As earlier noted, donors who give up to $50 will get a six-month subscription to The Floutist. Everyone who makes a donation of $50 or more will get a one-year subscription. All donors will have priority access to Cara’s reporting during and after her journey.
If you make a donation, please be sure to send us your email address so we can arrange for your complimentary subscription: winterwheat7@gmail.com
En avant! And thank you.
C. M. and P. L.
