During a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, President Donald Trump made appalling comments proposing the ethnic cleansing and U.S. “takeover” of Gaza.
While outlandish, Trump’s comments must be taken seriously. They raise alarming implications – both for Palestinians who are suffering now and for the long-term prospects for a just peace.
“What’s been lost in the coverage of Trump’s remarks is the deeper shift it signals,” warned analyst Rawan Abhari. “It’s a declaration that Palestinian displacement is the goal, not the consequence, of US policy.”
Trump’s ethnic cleansing plan was enthusiastically praised by Netanyahu and swiftly followed by the announcement of an Israeli government plan to carry out a “voluntary” mass relocation of Palestinians.
These disturbing developments show the importance of our advocacy to restore U.S. support for UNRWA – the U.N. agency that is the backbone of humanitarian services in Gaza.
Despite dire warnings from international officials, the Israeli government implemented a total ban on UNRWA from operating in Israel. In doing so, they are threatening to cut off thousands of Palestinians from their only lifeline for food and medicine.
The ban comes amid broader charges from human rights groups that the Israeli government is carrying out a “calculated policy of deprivation” intended to make conditions in Gaza unlivable. Human Rights Watch and other organizations say this amounts to genocide.
Meanwhile, our government continues to withhold funding to UNRWA, collectively punishing Palestinians and deepening our complicity in their suffering.
In advocating for UNRWA, FCNL affirms its long support for a two-state solution as it faces further, grave attacks.
By restoring UNRWA funding, U.S. lawmakers can send a firm message of support both for the aid that is needed today, and for Palestinians’ right to live and thrive, not just survive, in their home.
This is a crucial first step toward the major relief and recovery efforts that are needed in Gaza. Not to build luxury resorts for billionaires that Trump is advocating. But to rebuild the homes, schools, and other infrastructure needed for Palestinians and their descendants to live in dignity.
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The Trump administration is attacking many of our values. From attacks on DEI initiatives to assaults on our LGBTQ neighbors, we want to keep you informed. Check out our new collection of resources to stay engaged.
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Elsewhere
Attacks on Foreign Aid Continue
U.S. foreign assistance remains under constant attack. Trump’s 90-day freeze and stop-work order has been followed by extreme moves to dismantle USAID.
We know from meetings with the Congressional offices that the pressure you are applying is working. Congress is paying attention. Call your members of Congress today!
This is only the first step. Congress is poised to move legislation to strip health care and nutrition assistance from families across the United States and give big tax cuts to wealthy individuals and corporations.
Standing up to Anti-immigrant Attacks
The Trump administration is attacking immigrants across a broad range: from restricting asylum seekers and refugees to punishing institutions for caring for newcomers. And now they are sending migrants to Guantanamo Bay to “entrench in the public mind a conflation of migration and terrorism,” as reporter Spencer Ackerman wrote.
But people are speaking out in defense of themselves and their communities. Protests are underway across the country to push back against mass deportation. Monday was the “Day Without Immigrants” where people and business shut down for a day to show the importance of immigrants to our communities.
Times ahead will continue to be hard, but we know we will stand together through it all.
Upcoming FCNL events
- Join us on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. ET at Friends Place or online for Poems for Peace. Together we will share poems that illustrate peace and the struggle to achieve it.
- In response to widespread threats to the dignity of all people, how can Friends live out our call to love our neighbors without exception? FCNL’s Anika Forrest and Linnea Halsten will discuss this question during “Urgent Action for Migration Rights” on February 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
New from FCNL
- FCNL’s Bridget Moix wrote about what can keep us centered amid the chaos and confusion of the second Trump administration
- FCNL’s Devra Baxter wrote in Inkstick about ongoing U.S. military strikes in Somalia and how the Trump administration must do to support peace there.
