Letters to NC State Leaders on Palestine

StatementsCall to ActVoting RightsPolitical Education

Oct 28

TO: Governor Roy Cooper

Dear Governor Cooper,

We, the undersigned organizations, stand united in our prayer and sympathies for innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians. However, we are writing to express our profound disappointment regarding the statement made by you concerning the recent violence between Israel and Gaza.

This statement, while intended to address the recent situation, presents a one-sided perspective showing solidarity and concern only for Israel with no acknowledgement of the ongoing and historical suffering and death of Palestinians. This is an unbalanced and biased stance that can be harmful to the thousands of constituents who identify as Muslim, Palestinian, or Arab and call North Carolina home. Studies have shown that Muslims and communities that are racialized as Muslims are already at an increased risk of harassment, discrimination, and gender-based violence. Anti-Muslim discrimination has been sustained at high levels, with the majority (62%) of Muslim adults experiencing at least one incident each year, more likely than all other faith and non-faith groups surveyed.

When our elected leaders make one-sided public statements on the situation in Palestine and Israel that fail to acknowledge the realities, struggles, and humanity of Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab constituency members, this can contribute to an environment of hostility in our schools, places of worship, workplaces, and even our homes. Muslim communities in North Carolina know this cycle of violence too well as we continue to grieve the murder of three of our own Muslim community members and students who were killed in 2015 by their neighbor in Chapel Hill because of white supremacy and anti-Muslim hate. Unfortunately, this will not be the last time we hear such heartbreaking news. Over the past weekend, Wadea Al-Fayoume, a Palestinian, Muslim 6-year-old boy was stabbed 26 times and murdered by his landlord in his home because of anti-Muslim bigotry.

We are deeply concerned about the alarming rise in Islamophobia, antisemitism, and hate crimes within our community and the broader United States. The surge of intolerance and violence not only goes against the core values of diversity and inclusivity our nation stands for, but it also poses a severe threat to the safety and harmony of our communities in North Carolina. The growing fear and hostility directed towards Muslim and Jewish individuals are creating a divisive and dangerous environment, promoting a culture of hatred and ignorance. We urge you to take a stand against these unsettling trends by speaking out against hateful acts. By addressing these issues proactively, we can foster a more accepting and safer community for all residents, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. Your leadership in combating religious discrimination and hate crimes is crucial at this moment.

We want to take this opportunity to not only name the harmful implications your statement could have on North Carolina community members, but to share with you the reality of the situation in Gaza. Over the past 75 years, the Palestinian people have experienced immense suffering, displacement, and a 15-year long inhumane siege and blockade in Gaza, which has been described as “the largest open-air prison” by human rights organizations. The blockade has restricted access to basic human needs, like food, clean water, electricity, and medicine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the military offensive in the Gaza Strip has "only started" and that "what we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations." With these words, the Israeli government is inflicting severe and lasting collective punishment on the people of Gaza. This collective punishment is already underway: at least 11,300 Palestinians have been killed, including 3760 children and 2,326 women. Additionally, over 50,000 pregnant palestinian women are not able to secure basic maternal care, and 5,500 will give birth this month.. These actions are a violation of international law and constitute war crimes.

The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege and occupation keeps none of us safe. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. If you believe that we owe a moral responsibility to Israeli babies and children, then we owe the same responsibility to Palestinian babies and children. Their lives have equal weight.

As Governor, you represent all constituents of North Carolina, thousands of whom are Palestinian Americans who are watching their families and loved ones being killed, and feeling unheard and unseen by our state leaders. This letter is in no way asking you to condone violence perpetrated on any civilians. It does, however, challenge you to adopt a thoughtful and steadfast understanding of the nuanced, complex, and long-lasting political crisis to ensure a safe environment for all of your constituents.

We are requesting a meeting at your earliest convenience to hear from concerned constituents of all faiths and directly impacted people in North Carolina. Additionally, we ask that in light of your recent biased statement, you also issue a statement calling for a ceasefire and an end to Palestinian genocide that billions of U.S. tax dollar are being used to fund. We are asking that you affirm the pain and suffering of Palestinians- the two million Palestinians in occupied Gaza, half of whom are children-and who have been called “human animals” by Israel’s far-right defense minister, Minister Yaov Gallant. These humans, both who are indiscriminately bombed by Israel at this very moment and Palestinian Muslims living in North Carolina who worry for the safety of their families, are also worthy of your outrage.

Our organizations below, representing broad sectors of movement and society, have endorsed this letter and call to action because of our belief that a different world is possible. A world in which the values of love, justice, dignity, solidarity, and care are central to our society, democracies, and economies. A world in which all human life is truly sacred.

Respectfully,

Carolina Abortion Fund

Carolina Migrant Network

CiMA-Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción

Comité de Acción Popular

Education Justice Alliance

El Pueblo

El Vinculo Hispano

Education Justice Alliance

El Pueblo

El Vinculo Hispano

Fayetteville Police Accountability Community Taskforce

Migrant Roots Media

Mujerxs Organizando Oportunidades Notables

Muslims for Social Justice

North Carolina Asian Americans Together

North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN)

North Carolina Green Party

North Carolina Muslim Bar Association

People’s Mower Lab

Pitt Co. Coalition Against Racism (CAR)

Pro-Choice North Carolina

Refund Raleigh

SEAC Village

SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective

Southeast Immigrant Rights Network

Winston-Salem DSA

Casa Azul de Wilson

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Letters to NC House Reps and NC Senators

TO: NC House Reps who Signed on to House Resolution 897

Dear [NC House Rep]

This resolution, while intended to address the recent situation, presents a one-sided perspective showing solidarity and concern only for Israel with no acknowledgement of the ongoing and historical suffering and death of Palestinians. This is an unbalanced and biased stance that can be harmful to the thousands of constituents who identify as Muslim, Palestinian, or Arab and call North Carolina home. Studies have shown that Muslims and communities that are racialized as Muslims are already at an increased risk of harassment, discrimination, and gender-based violence. Anti-Muslim discrimination has been sustained at high levels, with the majority (62%) of Muslim adults experiencing at least one incident each year, more likely than all other faith and non-faith groups surveyed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that the military offensive in the Gaza Strip has "only started" and that "what we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations." With these words, the Israeli government is inflicting severe and lasting collective punishment on the people of Gaza. This collective punishment is already underway: at least 11,300 Palestinians have been killed, including 3760 children and 2,326 women. Over 7,500 people have been injured. These actions are a violation of international law and constitute war crimes. The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege and occupation keeps none of us safe. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. The path to peace and freedom must include lifting the blockade and ending the occupation.

As a North Carolina Legislator, you represent constituents of North Carolina, thousands of whom are Palestinian and Muslim Americans who are watching their families and loved ones being killed, and feeling unheard and unseen by our state leaders. This letter is in no way asking you to condone violence perpetrated on any civilians. It does, however, challenge you to adopt a thoughtful and steadfast understanding of the nuanced, complex, and long-lasting political crisis to ensure a safe environment for all of your constituents.

We invite you to join us in November for a virtual conversation and education space to hear from directly impacted people, students, and organizers about the ongoing crisis in Gaza and its impact on Muslim and Palestinian communities in North Carolina. Additionally, we ask that in light of your support for House Resolution 897, you issue a resolution calling for an end to Palestinian genocide and affirming the pain and suffering of Palestinians- the two million Palestinians in occupied Gaza, half of whom are children-and who have been called “human animals” by Israel’s far-right defense minister, Minister Yaov Gallant. These humans, both who are indiscriminately bombed by Israel at this very moment and the Palestinian Muslims living in North Carolina who are worried for the safety of their families here and abroad, are also worthy of your outrage.

To: NC Senators who supported Statement in Support of Israel

Dear [NC Senator]

We, the undersigned organizations, stand united in our prayer and sympathies for innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians. However, we are writing to express our profound disappointment regarding your support of the Senatorial Statement concerning the recent violence between Israel and Gaza.

As a North Carolina Legislator, you represent constituents of North Carolina, thousands of whom are Palestinian Americans who are watching their families and loved ones being killed, and feeling unheard and unseen by our state leaders. This letter is in no way asking you to condone violence perpetrated on any civilians. It does, however, challenge you to adopt a thoughtful and steadfast understanding of the nuanced, complex, and long-lasting political crisis to ensure a safe environment for all of your constituents.

We invite you to join us in November for a virtual conversation and education space to hear from directly impacted people, students, and organizers about the ongoing attacks on Gaza and its impact on Muslim and Palestinian communities in North Carolina. Additionally, we ask that in light of your support for House Resolution 897, you issue a resolution calling for an end to Palestinian genocide and affirming the pain and suffering of Palestinians- the two million Palestinians in occupied Gaza, half of whom are children-and who have been called “human animals” by Israel’s far-right defense minister, Minister Yaov Gallant. These humans, both who are indiscriminately bombed by Israel at this very moment and the Palestinian Muslims living in North Carolina who are worried for the safety of their families here and abroad, are also worthy of your outrage.