FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2024
Contact: Emily Phelps | press@indivisible.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Indivisible’s co-founder and co-executive director Leah Greenberg released the following statement ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress:
“In Gaza, Netanyahu is waging a disastrous military campaign of slaughter and famine. In Israel, he’s an anti-democracy mini-Trump who’s prolonging bloodshed to stay out of prison. In America, we’re supposed to greet him as a statesman? I don’t think so.”
“For months, Indivisible has been calling on members of the House and Senate to say ‘No to Netanyahu,’ to sit out his speech, and to demonstrate their support for an end to the slaughter, starvation, and reuniting every hostage with their loved ones. Rather than dignifying a man perpetuating a brutal onslaught and humanitarian crisis, our elected leaders should be pressuring him to take the peace deal that’s on the table. No more US bombs should be sent to be dropped on Gaza, and the US must use every ounce of diplomatic pressure available to secure an immediate ceasefire, now,” said Leah Greenberg, co-founder and co-executive director of Indivisible.
Leading up to this speech, Indivisible had been driving constituent calls to Senator’s and Member’s offices as part of the ‘No to Netanyahu’ pressure campaign. Below is an excerpt from the call scripts (House ; Senate):
Hello, I’m a constituent from [part of state], and I’m calling to tell [Representative] that I am outraged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to address Congress.
Netanyahu is corrupt and continuing the war in Gaza for his own political gain. His relentless bombings of hospitals and refugee camps have killed tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians. He has made it clear that he is more interested in his far-right agenda than in bringing an end to the brutal war and securing the release of the hostages. Having him speak to Congress would undermine efforts by President Biden and the international community to end the war and get desperately needed aid to the people of Gaza.
Tell [Representative] I expect them to say No to Netanyahu and skip his address. They must send a clear message to him that they do not support his prolonged war or the bloodshed it has caused and take a stand in support of a ceasefire.