On July 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress.
Notably, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, recently voted overwhelmingly against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
In addition, the United Nations’ International Court of Justice just ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and that its laws violate the prohibition against apartheid.
Over 20 years ago, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, gave a powerful speech at the “Ending the Occupation” conference in Boston. Let’s heed his words:
“Israel will never get true security and safety through oppressing another people. A true peace can ultimately be built only on justice….The military action of recent days, I predict with certainty, will not provide the security and peace Israelis want; it will only intensify the hatred.”
Terry Hansen
Milwaukee, Wisconsin