For over 3 months, the Israeli government has blocked almost all food from entering Gaza. If the situation persists, nearly 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be acutely malnourished over the next eleven months, according to a UN report, with potential life-long damage to their health and development. We cannot accept business as usual while the people of Gaza are being intentionally starved to death.
JVP Triangle, as a coalition of Jewish North Carolinians and other people of conscience, invites individuals, organizations, and congregations to join us in a statewide solidarity fast, with an aim to pressure NC Senator Thom Tillis to use his power to STOP STARVING GAZA.
Our Call on Senator Thom Tillis
Senator Tillis has made humanitarian advocacy and defense of human rights a cornerstone of his public platform. Sen. Tillis is a founding member and co-chair of the Bipartisan Senate Human Rights Caucus and was a prominent cosponsor of the 2018 Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act.
We call now for Senator Tillis to recognize this moment, including the genocide, mass starvation, routine violence, and other atrocities inflicted against the people of Palestine, for what it is: a stain on our human conscience where we need clarity and decisive action from our leaders. With this, we call on Tillis to take the following actions:
- Vote to support S.Res.224 and SB898, which will support delivery of urgently needed aid to Gaza and restore funding for UNRWA
- Prevent future weapon sales to Israel, including support for relevant future resolutions and actions
Solidarity Fast
This solidarity fast will begin on June 7th and will continue until the food is let in. We’re asking partners to join us in committing to a public-facing fast of between 8 and 48 hours. As traditional fasts (i.e. caloric restriction) are not possible for everyone, we’re also sharing guidance around impactful alternatives. See the drop-down below for some ways to fast, or fill out our interest form below for more information!
Solidarity Fast Suggestions
There are many ways to participate in the solidarity fast and we encourage each individual to choose the most meaningful option for themselves. Some non-exhaustive suggestions are below.
Food-Based Fasts:
Yom Kippur or Ramadan-style, i.e. a traditional fast. Abstain from eating and drinking from sundown to sundown or sunrise to sunset, i.e. 12 to 24 hours.
Gaza solidarity fast. Many Gazans are currently subsisting on 300 calories a day, which is far below adequate nutrition levels. Eat a 300-calorie diet for a day and send us a picture of what you ate.
Safety-Based Fasts:
Abstain from the indoors. With so many buildings destroyed in Gaza, many people are living in tents or makeshift shelters. Set up a temporary encampment outside your congregation’s building and spend 12-48 hours eating, sleeping, etc., there.
Abstain from your normal hygiene routines. Soap and running water are scarce in Gaza. Reduce or eliminate showers for a few days to a week. Handwash your clothes instead of using your washing machine.
Consumer Boycott Fast
Abstain from BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions – see https://www.bdsmovement.net/) targets, such as Amazon, Google, Disney, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Burger King, Domino’s, Papa John’s, or Pizza Hut for a week to a month.
Join Our Call to Stop Starving Gaza
Actions to take during the Solidarity Fast:
Join the Solidarity Fast! Fill out a Solidarity Fast form to learn about next steps and ongoing efforts. Sign up as an individual here or sign up as an organization here!
Call Senator Tillis
Call Senator Thom Tillis’s offices today, either through this link provided by JVP Action or by dialing their office number. Senator Tillis’s D.C. office can be reached at (202) 224-6342 or find a local North Carolina office.
Consider using this script or share your own message:
Hi, my name is [X] and I am a constituent of Senator Tillis from [X, North Carolina], and [SHARE A PERSONAL DETAIL: I’M JEWISH, A PARENT, A STUDENT, ETC.] I am horrified by the blockade of aid into Gaza, and the spread of starvation we are witnessing every day. If Senator Tillis claims to be an advocate for human rights, why is he not supporting aid for the people of Gaza? This is shameful. As the co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus, he must take action by voting to support S.Res.224 and SB898 to deliver urgent aid and refund UNRWA. Senator Tillis must uphold US and international law by ensuring adequate humanitarian aid enters Gaza and by ending ALL weapons transfers to the Israeli government.
Boycott and Donate
Ask your pharmacist to avoid Teva Pharmaceuticals when possible: https://boycottteva.org/
Pledge to boycott Chevron: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/boycottchevron
Donate to the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA): https://www.mecaforpeace.org/donate/
Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle NC 
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