Dear Community,

As we contemplated our response to the suspension of SSU’s President, Dr. Ming-Tung “Mike” Lee, we also thought about what we wanted to say about the Israeli/Hamas conflict. As an organization that values all ethnic groups and strives to recognize those who are most at risk, we offer this collective thinking on the current, horrific, and urgent conflict.

Sincerely,

Laurie Fong
President, AAPIC North Bay
Laurie@aapicnorthbay.org

An Open Letter On the Israeli/Hamas Conflict

AAPIC, the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of North Bay, mourns the loss of lives in the on-going conflict between the Israeli government and Hamas. We condemn the actions of Hamas against Israeli citizens and of the Israeli government’s violence against Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. These are crimes against humanity: we advocate for the release of all hostages on both sides and a humanitarian ceasefire.

AAPIC knows the history of the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander people—our histories of oppression, exclusion, resettlement, internment, violence, and genocide are well-remembered. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinians and Israeli people who are currently enduring unfathomable violence and fear.

As an organization, AAPIC recognizes the value of every individual and stands behind the deep humanity of heritage and all cultures. We cannot be silent during this crisis.

This unrestrained conflict is affecting our local communities, even far from the fields of war. Antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric and acts of hate are increasing, reminiscent of the surge in anti-Asian hate and violence witnessed during the pandemic.

We call on President Biden and Congress to reach bi-partisan agreements to direct diplomacy and the immense resources of the United States to de-escalate armed conflict in the region, not fund it.

We call for the end of the killing of innocent civilians, and importantly, innocent children.

We call on our national, state, and local elected officials to support a permanent ceasefire to end the violence in Gaza and the West Bank and to support impartial humanitarian aid.

We call for a solution that will allow for the self-determination of Palestinians, and to protect and safeguard the Israeli and Palestinian people.

We must put human beings first, not power. We recognize that there are other conflicts in the world where innocents are being displaced and killed. The need to save lives is urgent. It is our shared humanity that is at greatest risk.