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Last month, our group delivered a letter signed by nearly 250 Somerville community members, to Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey demanding they call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, rush in humanitarian aid, end of unconditional military funding to Israel, and to hold Israel accountable to international law. The list of signatories was interfaith, interracial, and intergenerational; included several city counselors (Willie Burnley Jr., Naima Sait, JT Scott, Jake Wilson, Charlotte Kelly, Ben Ewen-Campen, and Beatriz Gomez-Mouakad); and contained two state legislators (Sen. Pat Jehlen and Rep. Uyterhoeven). On Wednesday, January 3, our group will redeliver the Somerville letter now with close to 450 signatures and be joined by neighbors from Arlington letter echoing the demands. Following the delivery of the letters, we will hold a stand-out in Union Sq. at 5 pm to further raise awareness of the atrocities the Israeli military is committing against Palestinian civilians trapped in Gaza. 

As we write this statement, the Israeli government’s devastating assault continues. The death toll for Gazans now stands over 20,000; around half of whom are children. More children have been killed in the past two months by Israel in Gaza than attend Somerville Public Schools. Right now — more so than ever before — the need is great and urgent for an immediate (and permanent) ceasefire, humanitarian aid, the end of unconditional military aid to Israel, and accountability of the Israeli government in accordance with international law.

One can find the contents and signatories of the letter here: Somerville Letter Ceasefire and Palestinian Solidarity

Given the scale and severity of the violence in Gaza right now, we feel that it is imperative for the two Senators to vocally join the public calls for a permanent ceasefire, immediate humanitarian aid, and the end of the U.S. government’s support for Israel’s actions.

— Somerville For Palestine