Motivated by a need for action, members of ORUCC’s Palestine Justice Mission Team mailed time-sensitive petitions to Mark Pocan and Tammy Baldwin. The petitions highlight Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza—blockage that has led to ordinary men, women and children of Gaza starving and even dying of starvation. The petitions explain that this blockage of aid violates core provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which to this day is the most important document governing the protection of civilians in areas of military occupation. 

The petitions conclude with a call to action: “Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional (or senatorial) representatives in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue.”

Read the full text of the petitions below for Mark Pocan and for Tammy Baldwin. We signed these petitions as individual members and friends of ORUCC, and not on behalf of the entire congregation.

Request you take a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza

Mr. Pocan,

We write to you as members and friends of the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ congregation in Madison.   

We thank you sincerely for your years of support for the rights of Palestinian citizens living under Israeli military occupation. Unfortunately, we have entered a new period of intense ethnic cleansing by the State of Israel, so more action is needed.    

Right now, today, ordinary men, women and children in Gaza are starving and even dying of starvation, due to Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

This deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is in direct violation of core provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which to this day is the most important document governing the protection of civilians in areas of military occupation. Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid violates these provisions of the Convention: 

• Article 33, which prohibits “collective punishment” 
• Article 50, concerning the provision of food and medical care for children, expectant mothers, and mothers of children under seven
• Article 56, concerning an occupying power’s requirement to ensure hygiene and public health in the area it occupies.

Israel signed the fourth Geneva Convention in 1949 and ratified it “without any reservation” in 1951. As one of 196 states to sign onto the Convention, Israel is required to follow its provisions. 

Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional representatives in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue. 

Thank you.

Request you take a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza

Senator Baldwin,

We write to you as members and friends of the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ congregation in Madison.   

We thank you sincerely for the actions you have taken in response to the emergency in Israel and Gaza. Unfortunately, we have entered another period of intense ethnic cleansing by the State of Israel, so more action is needed.    

Right now, today, ordinary men, women and children in Gaza are starving and even dying of starvation, due to Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

This deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is in direct violation of core provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which to this day is the most important document governing the protection of civilians in areas of military occupation. Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid violates these provisions of the Convention: 

• Article 33, which prohibits “collective punishment” 
• Article 50, concerning the provision of food and medical care for children, expectant mothers, and mothers of children under seven
• Article 56, concerning an occupying power’s requirement to ensure hygiene and public health in the area it occupies.

Israel signed the fourth Geneva Convention in 1949 and ratified it “without any reservation” in 1951. As one of 196 states to sign onto the Convention, Israel is required to follow its provisions. 

Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional representatives, including Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue. 

Thank you.

• Category: Palestine