Our own hearts ache for the people of Gaza

February 11, 2009
Dear Tim,


As we decorate pink hearts for Valentine's Day, our own hearts ache for the people of Gaza.
Our three person delegation just returned from a trip to Gaza, and Medea, Ann and Tighe are still reeling from the profound devastation they witnessed there--bombed areas that looked as if they had been hit by tornados, families living inside tents after their homes had been destroyed, countless lives irrevocably shattered by loss.
"The sights we saw in Gaza were tragic-a Goliath Israel pounding a small Gaza David, with international silence and complicity. Some 1,300 Palestinians have died, thousands have been wounded, and hundreds of thousands have been deeply traumatized. We deplore the use of rockets against Israeli towns by Hamas and other groups in Gaza, but the disproportionate response by the Israeli government and military is appalling," said Ret. Col. Ann Wright.
With the victory of an even more right-wing government in the Israeli elections looming, we must focus on the suffering in Gaza and stop a new round of violence. We are organizing a delegation to return to Gaza in time for International Women's Day, March 8th, hosted by the Women's Division of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Our group will provide solidarity for the women in Gaza and exert pressure on United States, Egyptian, and Israeli governments to lift the blockade. If we are not allowed inside, we will set up an encampment near the border to call attention to the need to open the borders and end the siege.
Here's how you can help:
Donate to send aid to Gaza. You can help us bring resources and gifts on International Women's Day to women who have suffered so much.
Join our delegation to Gaza from March 5-March 12 to support the women of Gaza and promote peace and human rights in the region. Some scholarships are available.
We also want to reach out to special peace envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell. On his first trip to the Middle East, Mitchell did not even go to Gaza. Now that he will be embarking on a second trip, ask him to visit Gaza, to witness the devastation firsthand and to listen to the voices of the women in Gaza.
Be sure to continue to educate yourself and your community about the current crisis in Gaza by visiting our growing resource page, which includes links to Medea Benjamin's blogs from Gaza, and our incisive Gaza digest.
Thank you for opening your hearts to our struggling sisters in Gaza this Valentine's Day (and beyond)!
With our own hearts broken but hopeful,
Audrey, Dana, Deidra, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jean, Jodie, Liz, Lori, Medea, Nancy, Paris, and Rae
http://flickr.com/photos/codepinkalert/sets/72157613579262960/show/