AHRC Calls for a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza:

The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) commends all the negotiating parties, Egypt, the Biden Administration and especially Qatar for their efforts bringing a temporary pause in Gaza.

AHRC urges all negotiating parties to continue these efforts hoping to reach a permanent ceasefire and end of war for the sake of saving innocent lives. The few days of the temporary pause showed the world the unimaginable level of destruction and massive loss of lives on the Palestinian side.

The world witnessed a historical genocidal war on Gaza. Unfortunately, the US government and the American mainstream media embraced the Israeli narrative that provided a pretext for genocide. They have focused on the Israeli side downplaying Palestinian suffering, the history, and the context of the current round of violence.

The exchange of prisoners between Hamas and Israel focused attention on the plight of thousands of Palestinian prisoners including children and women who have been in Israeli prisons for the “crime” of resisting the occupation. Resisting occupation is a right and a duty.

During this war, Israel weaponized water, food, medicine, and fuel to inflict harm on all Palestinians. This Israeli policy made clear that the issue is not Hamas but the Palestinian people. Israel wanted to cause another Nakba but failed.

AHRC urges the Biden administration to push for a permanent ceasefire. A permanent ceasefire saves lives. We are disturbed by concerns over regional stability and the spreading of the conflict. Palestinian lives matter.

The focus should be on the lives of the Palestinians and the crimes of Israel, regardless of what happens regionally. Their lives and wellbeing are intrinsically valuable. This instrumental approach to the conflict conflicts with concern for human rights and international law.