52 years ago, a small group of activists set sail from Alaska to defiantly stop a US nuclear weapons test. This anti-war action became the starting blocks for the global organization we now know as Greenpeace, whose mission includes the goal to "promote peace, global disarmament and non-violence."
Despite our history, mission, and commitment to peace, Greenpeace has not yet joined the global call for justice and peace in Gaza. We, members of Greenpeace staff around the world, call upon the International Executive Director and the Greenpeace International Board for the Greenpeace Network to publicly call for the following:
- Israel should implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza
- Israel should allow immediate humanitarian aid access to Gaza
- Hamas and Israel should release any civilian hostages taken
- Israel should rescind its relocation order for Palestinians in Gaza
- Israel should respect the rules of international humanitarian law
- The United States should stop supporting and funding the systematic genocide of Palestinians.
We believe that Greenpeace should call for these demands so that both Palestinians and Israelis can enjoy human rights in peace and security. As of 19.10.23 the death toll stands at 3,478 killed and 12,065 wounded. In Israel, at least 1,400 people have been killed and 3,800 injured. Hundreds of Palestinians have died from bombings in hospitals, safe zones, and in their homes.
Greenpeace calling for the immediate ceasefire and other demands listed above are only first steps towards ending the violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. To fully end this cycle of violence, Israel's occupation of the Palestinian Territories must end. Palestinians have faced apartheid (as recognized by leading human rights organizations like Amnesty and HRW) and occupation (as recognized by the UN) by the state of Israel for 75 long years. While the historical factors that have led to this situation are many and complicated, Greenpeace must take active steps to pursue Justice, Equity, and Decolonization in its mission to ensure the earth can nurture life in all its diversity.
In order to advocate for green and peaceful world, Greenpeace needs make sure that its collective voice and actions promote a green, peaceful, and just present. This is why we believe it essential that Greenpeace immediately and actively calls for an end to the horrifying loss of life in Gaza. Only then can Greenpeace address the historical and systemic inequities that have created the systems of oppression we face today.
Why is this important?
In order to advocate for intersectional climate justice, we as Greenpeace staff need to step up for marginalized communities and call for justice and peace in this crucial moment.
If we stay silent, we are being complicit with oppressive systems which destroy our communities, our homes, and our planet.
