Tell your congressperson or senator to speak out against repeated destruction of Al Araqib in the Negev

Israeli activist and author, Amos Gvirtz wrote, “Especially in the Jewish State, we must affirm each person’s common humanity, whether Jewish or not, and uphold everyone’s basic human rights.” Will you take his words to heart to mobilize your elected officials on behalf of Al Araqib Village in Israel?

The Government of Israel has demolished Al Araqib village 83 times and levied huge fines and an outrageous lawsuit against the villagers to press them to give up their land.

Please ask your senators and representative to press the Government of Israel to withdraw the outrageous fines and lawsuit against the residents of Al Araqib and recognize their right to live on the land they own. Use my letter to Senator Feinstein as your model or just cut to the chase and paste this in the online form on their website:

Dear Senator/Representative _______,

I am writing as your constituent with an urgent concern. Please call the Israeli Embassy and the State Department now, on my behalf, to urge the Israeli Government to withdraw its lawsuit against residents of Al Araqib, a very poor Bedouin community in Israel’s Negev/Naqab Desert, and to acknowledge their right to stay on the land they own. The Israeli government has destroyed their homes eighty-three times and their crops and livelihoods too. This is an outrage. You can read the article here:

Israeli activist and author, Amos Gvirtz wrote, “Especially in the Jewish State, we must affirm each person’s common humanity, whether Jewish or not, and uphold everyone’s basic human rights.” I hope you agree. Please raise my concern at the highest levels. I happy to discuss this with your staff and I look forward to your reply.

On April 27th, Cindy Corrie and Kelly Leilani Main joined me in a visit with Senator Feinstein’s staff to ask the Senator to express her concern on our behalf. We know that when Congress calls, they get answers — it works. Their websites all state that their staff will help whenever a constituent needs urgent assistance with any Federal agency — so ask for their help to reach the State Department and the Israeli Embassy too. Follow this link to find their contact information. Call their senior staff for foreign policy to confirm they received it.

Then please do one more thing: On Tuesday May 5th, Rebuilding Alliance is competing for nearly $4 million in matching grants in Silicon Valley Gives. With your help, we could win a $5000 bonus to support our advocacy work on behalf of at-risk communities like Al Araqib. Please give now, before midnight Pacific time tomorrow night.

Your action makes a difference.