Bring Palestinian Children to address Congress

Please donate to cover the costs of bringing a Palestinian boy
and human rights defenders
to speak to Congress on Sep. 19th in the #ICareAboutPeace Briefing

We asked members of Congress to personally make calls to the
State Department and the Israeli Embassy to express concern,
stop the demolitions, recognize Palestinian planning rights in the two Palestinian villages targeted for forced relocation by Israel

Please give big-heartedly because:
A GENEROUS DONOR is MATCHING YOUR DONATION DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR!

Of the hundreds of Congressional meetings RA has held over 15 years, bringing Palestinian children to address Congress on Int’l Peace Day is the most effective.

A key Senator sent six letters (and quoted the children!) to keep the Palestinian village of Susiya standing after meeting with the delegation twice, in 2015 and 2016 — and that made all the difference
in keeping Susiya standing.

The #ICareAboutPeace Congressional Briefing was well-attended

Tuesday, September 19th    Time: 10:30-11:30am
 Capitol Building Room SVC 212-10 (Senate Side)

Speakers:

• Moderator: Donna Baranski-Walker, Rebuilding Alliance

From Susiya Village:

• Aysar, age 15, from Susiya presenting his view of what peace means,
• Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Torat Tzedek

From Al Aqaba Village: Mayor Haj Sami's US visa was granted Friday, too late to allow the Al Aqaba delegation to join us in person. 

• Alon Cohen-Lifschitz, Bimkom: Planners for Planning Rights

From Gaza City

• Tia, age 12, from Gaza City's American International School (via video because she was not granted a transit permit by the Government of Israel)

Members of Congress, staff, and constituents were invited to join a special briefing on Tuesday, September 19th, two days before International Peace Day, to welcome Palestinian children as they present their vision of peace.  They are among thousands in the U.S. and around the world making Pinwheels for Peace, writing down what peace means and drawing what peace looks like, then forming a pinwheel that turns in the wind. They come from the Palestinian villages of Susiya and Al Aqaba, and from Gaza City.

Invited by Rebuilding Alliance, an American non-profit dedicated to rebuilding war-torn communities and bringing the world together to keep them safe, distinguished human rights defenders are coming too, including Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Mayor Haj Sami Sadeq, and an expert regarding Gaza.

• Susiya Village is facing the very real risk of demolition because the Israeli Army denied their master plan. Their appeal before Israel’s High Court awaits the pronouncement of Israel’s Minister of Defense on Oct. 1st.     To inspire the world, Susiya and Rebuilding Alliance will announce Susiya’s International Architectural Village Design Competition at this briefing.
• Al Aqaba is the first Palestinian village in the West Bank’s Area C to issue its own building permits in accordance with their master zoning plan. They need your help to keep 22 new homes standing. It has been two years and no demolition orders were issued - let's keep them safe as they continue building!
• Gaza City, like all of Gaza, is experiencing 22 hours of blackout every day.  We ask Congress to assure shipments of Nur al-Amal (light of hope) solar lanterns to all 750,000 children in Gaza and help lift the blockade.

It is our hope that upon hearing their presentation, members of Congress will personally make calls to the Israeli Embassy to express concern, stop the demolitions, recognize Palestinian planning rights, assure due process, turn on the lights in Gaza.