Ahead of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting in Washington, D.C. with President Trump today, Oxfam America President and CEO Abby Maxman released the following statement:
“Today’s meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump comes as we approach a solemn moment: nearly two years since Israel's destructive military campaign in Gaza started, following the devastating attacks of October 7, 2023 by Hamas and other armed groups. It is a moment to honor and remember the more than 65,000 Palestinians, over 40% of whom are women and children, who have been killed by the Israeli military since, and those killed and captured in Israel on that dark day. But it is also a moment for action, justice and accountability, as the government of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza continue unabated.
“It is time for President Trump to finally make good on his promise to be a dealmaker and secure a permanent ceasefire. Making clear that he will not abide Israeli annexation of the West Bank—which would flagrantly violate international law and undermine the political and economic rights of millions of Palestinians—is a good start. Now, he must further leverage the U.S.’s power by suspending offensive arms sales to Israel — which make the US complicit in crimes against humanity and risk complicity in genocide — in pursuit of an end to the atrocities in Gaza. The U.S. must turn the page on a decades-long policy of enabling systemic patterns of land confiscation, mass forced displacement, and unlawful occupation. President Trump must make clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that his current course of action— indiscriminate bombardment, decades- long military occupation, siege, and starvation — has done and will do nothing to bring peace, free the hostages, or build a future of security and dignity for either Israelis or Palestinians.
“Israel’s collective punishment of all Palestinians in Gaza has forced more than 2 million to flee their homes and caused an entirely man-made famine. Palestinians— including children, and pregnant women, the sick and the elderly—are being starved, humanitarian access and aid remains almost entirely blocked, the healthcare system is all but destroyed. 48 people taken on October 7 remain in captivity in Gaza, as well as thousands of arbitrarily detained Palestinians in Israel's prisons. Two years later, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The basic conditions necessary for life are being erased by Israel on a daily basis.
“President Trump may be the only world leader with the ability to compel Prime Minister Netanyahu to change course: to uphold international law, ensure accountability, end impunity and secure a permanent ceasefire. Two years later, we have long since run out of time. President Trump must act now.”
/ENDS