In a statement released on their social media accounts, the progressive American Jewish group IfNotNow, which opposes Israel's apartheid regime, emphasized that the Hamas attack on Israel was the result of decades of oppression.
"It is with sadness and fear that we watch the horror unfold for our loved ones, both Israelis and Palestinians. We cannot and will not say that the actions of Palestinian militants were without provocation."
"PROVOCATIONS EVERY DAY IN ISRAEL"
Criticizing media reports that Hamas' attacks were "unprovoked", the statement said, "Under Israel's apartheid system, every day is a provocation. The suffocating siege on Gaza is a provocation. Settlers terrorize entire Palestinian villages, soldiers raid and demolish Palestinian homes, kill Palestinians in the streets, and Israeli ministers call for genocide and deportations."
FINANCED BY THE US GOVERNMENT
The statement condemned the targeting and killing of innocent civilians on both sides, saying, "Their blood is on the hands of the Israeli government, the US government that funds and excuses their recklessness, and every international leader who continues to turn a blind eye to decades of persecution of Palestinians, endangering both Palestinians and Israelis."
"Anyone who minimizes or ignores this context will only continue to be surprised as more blood is spilled," the statement said, calling on communities to rethink "reckless militarism" and "Israel's apartheid system" for a safe and free future for both sides.
"We are a movement of American Jews organizing our community to end US support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice and a prosperous future for all Palestinians and Israelis," IfNotNow describes themselves on their official website.
"THIS WAR DID NOT START THIS MORNING"
Author and activist Nathan Trall, who studies the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has written a book on life in the occupied Palestinian territories, said on his X social media account, "This war did not start this morning. It has been going on for decades."
"The blood spilled today is the tip of the iceberg, the iceberg of state violence and ethnic subjugation. As long as we ignore the root causes, the bloodshed will continue."
