“The Public Rising Up in Exponential Numbers Could Be Our Best Hope!”

There has been a seismic shift in public opinion toward Israel’s actions against Palestine, particularly since the Israel / U.S. war on Iran began, and Israel’s brutal bombardment of Lebanon. Poll numbers reflect a vast shift toward restricting arms sales to Israel. As a result, driven by nationwide grassroots pressure, on April 15, 40 Democratic Senators voted in support of two JRD’s (Joint Resolutions of Disapproval) to block U.S. sales of weaponized bulldozers to Israel – a record-breaking vote. Last year a similar vote garnered approval from only 15 Senators, and a similar vote last July won 27 supporters.

The measure was still defeated because the Republican majority prevailed, but slowly but surely, our protests are working; the tides are turning!

When We the People exert pressure, change can happen. Here are some ways to take action:

TAXPAYER POWER

Not My Tax Dollars – Their Activist Tool Box offers many approaches for taxpayers to leverage their power: https://uscpr.org/your-activist-toolbox-to-stop-arming-israel/

Taxpayers Against Genocide - Taxpayers organized to demand prosecution of U.S.Government officials for illegally using our tax dollars to fund genocide. https://www.taxpayersagainstgenocide.org/

CONSUMER POWER

Join the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement: https://bdsmovement.net/
Boycott: Consumers, don’t purchase products that are made in Israel or that enable Israel’s
on-going war on Palestine.
Divest: Urge all governments to divest from corporations that enable the Israeli genocide of
Palestinians.
Sanction: Urge local to governments and institutions to sanction Israel for their terrible war
crimes. The BDS website showcases many corporations that assist or profit from Israel’s
brutalization, land theft, home demolition and genocide.

CalSTRS Divest:
The California State Teachers' Retirement System has over $1 billion dollars invested directly in the Israeli occupation, apartheid and genocide of the Palestinian people. CalSTRS Divest calls on members, educators, voters, tax- payers, organizations, and unions to urge CalSTRS to divest from companies that contribute to Israeli’s human rights abuses in Palestine. They are an active group and welcome new participants.
Learn more at https://www.calstrsdivest.org/
Sign the petition at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/calstrs-divest-from-genocide


DONATION POWER

 Four of many worthwhile organizations; bring support and comfort to the people of Palestine.

UNRWA - UN Relief and Works Agency -The primary agency bringing life-supporting comfort and hope to Palestinian refugees for 75 years: food, water, medical aid, schools. https://www.unrwausa.org
You can now donate to UNRWA to provide cash directly to Palestinian families in need, matched by a $100,000 grant through this link:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/UNRWA/FMfcgzQfCMxWvpJszlnzDXXbCNjVTfdK

Middle East Children’s Alliance, MECA for Peace - For many years, and now during the Israeli assault on Gaza, MECA has had boots on the ground in Gaza, helping families survive, providing food and water, and programs for deep healing and empowerment. https://www.mecaforpeace.org/

Anar for Empowerment and Psychosocial Support – Based in Bethlehem, this program integrates the arts and play to bring healing, hope and even joy to traumatized Palestinian children. On their website are delightful photos of smiling children who finally have a chance to experience what it means to be a child. “Anar” means “Light” in Arabic.
Learn more at: https://anar.ps Anar cannot receive donations directly but donations can be made through Healing to Hope, a US-based nonprofit. https://healingtohope.org/donate . Checks may be made out to Healing to Hope, Attn: Sarah Myers, 6417 Penn Ave. S, Ste 7, #1036, Minneapolis, MN55423.

Handmade Palestine – A nonprofit based in Ramallah that empowers Palestinian artisans to generate income and work with dignity while preserving their Palestinian heritage. Shop exquisite handmade products from keffiyas to tatreez (unique Palestinian embroidery), silver jewelry to olive wood kitchenware, and more, all ethically made, fair trade and crafted in Palestine. A portion of profits supports Mashjar Juthour, a 10-dunam nature reserve near Ramallah, that preserve the land and providea a place where school groups and families may enjoy the peacefulness of nature and learn about the soil, the birds, wildlife, and plants of Palestine. https://handmadepalestine.com/

VOTER POWER – LOBBY YOUR ELECTED REPS & CANDIDATES TO TAKE A STAND!

Call Your Senators - In California:
Senator Alex Padilla – 916 448-2787
Senator Adam Schiff – 415 393-0707

Call Your Congressional House Rep & Nov. Candidates for House:
In CA District 1:
Rep. James Gallagher – 530 343-1000 (through end of 2026, replaces Rep. Doug LaMalfa))

Mike McGuire – 916 651-4042 - Democratic Candidate in Nov. election opposing Gallagher

Demand that they represent their constituents and insist that -
* In Gaza, Israel observe the Ceasefire, stop killing Palestinians, allow the free flow of humanitarian aid, and negotiate in good faith with Hamas;
* In the West Bank, Israel stop settlers from their murderous attacks on Palestinians, their homes and farms, supported by the IDF, and cease exponential building of settlements on stolen Palestinian land. (All West Bank settlements are on stolen land);
* The US immediately cut off sending military aid to Israel and stop arming them with lethal military weapons that are used against innocent Palestinians;
* The US and Israel support the people of Gaza to rebuild their homeland and restore dignity and peace to all in this violence-ridden land.
* Support Block the Bombs Act. Sign the petition: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/block-the-bombs
* Stay alert to new legislation supporting Palestine and make your voice heard.


PEOPLE POWER – SPEAK OUT! SPREAD THE WORD!

Sign Petitions, Write Letters to the Editor, Speak Up at Gatherings -
Here’s a good petition: Oakland People’s Arms Embargo – to immediately halt all military cargo shipments from Oakland Airport to Israel and end our Oakland’s complicity in the ongoing genocide of Gaza. Since January 2025, hundreds of shipments of military cargo have flown out of OAK to Israel, including F-35 fighter jet components used to drop 2,000 pound bombs on the people of Gaza. These quiet shipments have been leaving our civilian airport hidden from city officials, union members, and everyday tax-pay residents. We, the people of Oakland, refuse to be complicit in genocide through enabling these transfers, and demand the city of Oakland to honor its legacy of human rights, social equity and racial justice to take action to stop the shipments.
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/oakland-stands-against-genocide-no-killer-cargo-out-of-oak-now-3?source=direct_link&

Urge the people you know to join the growing movement . Urge them to become part of the groundswell of resistance to stop Israel’s violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza!