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8/18 Petition to Biden & U.S. Congress

A 10 month old infant in Deir al-Balah has been diagnosed with polio – the first case in Gaza in 25 years. We have the medical technology to eradicate polio. In fact, it’s been a goal of the global healthcare community since 1988. Since then, polio cases have decreased by 99% worldwide, and we have effective vaccinations to prevent the contraction and spread of this deadly and debilitating virus. The typical vaccination schedule is for infants to receive two doses and receive 2 boosters at 18 months and 5 years. When this vaccination schedule is followed it provides lifetime protection. The director of field hospitals in Gaza advised that 500,000 children under the age of 10 need vaccinations – not just for polio but for all standard vaccinations.

Israel’s intentional destruction of Gaza’s entire healthcare, waste management, water, and other critical systems of infrastructure required to maintain the quality of life pre-10/7 is the direct cause of the resurgence of polio in Gaza, as well as the circulation of preventable diseases that are running rampant. Right now, Hepatitis A is spreading rapidly through the population and is most damaging to children. This is another disease where vaccines already exist to prevent the contraction of this virus.

I demand that you: 

– Hold Israel accountable for a permanent, immediate ceasefire, their violations of the Genocide Convention, and gross human rights violations by any means necessary

– Call for the immediate end of Israel’s occupation and apartheid and support Palestinians in their fight for freedom and peace

– Secure the immediate release and safety of all Palestinians who have been abducted and held captive by Israel, including those whose indefinite detention began prior to 10/7

– Permanently end all monetary, diplomatic, and military aid given to Israel and enforce Leahy Law

– Reallocate all funds given to Israel and commit additional resources for ongoing humanitarian relief for Palestinians starting with immediately resuming funding of UNRWA

– Immediately withdraw all U.S. troops, military assets, and all other assets deployed throughout the Middle East and cease all actions that further escalate a larger regional conflict

– Pass legislation that voids all anti-BDS laws at the federal level

– Vote no on H.R. 7521 and any similar legislation proposed

SOURCES

Al Jazeera 8/18 Live Updates

The Washington Post “Gaza faces public health crisis with first confirmed case of polio“

CNN “10-month-old contracts Gaza’s first case of polio in 25 years“

CDC “About Global Polio Eradication“

Pan American Health Organization “The history of Polio – from eradication to re-emergence“

NBC “Skin infections and hepatitis spread as Gazans resort to drinking and bathing in contaminated water“

United Nations “Gaza: ‘Frightening increase’ in Hepatitis A cases“

CDC “Israel, including the West Bank and Gaza“

CDC “Hepatitis A“

**Why are you accusing Israel of intentionally destroying important infrastructure and targeting civilians?

It’s not an accusation. They’ve admitted to it.

The Guardian “‘The Gospel’: how Israel uses AI to select bombing targets in Gaza“

972 Magazine “‘A mass assassination factory’: Inside Israel’s calculated bombing of Gaza“

!! CONTENT WARNING !!

Telegram* sources may contain graphic content, viewer discretion is advised.

*Why are you citing reports shared on Telegram?

While Telegram channels on their own are not necessarily credible news reporting, I have found the work Praxis Redacted has done consolidating both official news sources and unofficial citizen reporting (before it becomes breaking news) to be credible, accurate, and substantiated hours or sometimes days later by mainstream news.

Since mid-October when I began following the news about the genocide (and Praxis Redacted), I have not found an incident where sources cited or descriptions used were later proved to be false. I have every reason to believe the events cited below are true.

Most Telegram posts I link will be from Praxis Redacted, but those that are not will be labeled. All of the same disclaimers apply for content warnings and my belief in the credibility of the channels cited. This is a saved text template used across posts, it’s possible no sources outside of Praxis Redacted will be used or that only other channels are cited in this petition. It is also possible that other social media posts will be cited from other platforms, and if so, they will be noted.

8/18 report from director of field hospitals in Gaza that 500,000 children under age of 10 need vaccines