National Council of Jewish Women Alarmed by Proposal to Forcibly Displace Gazans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: ncjw@berlinrosen.com
WASHINGTON — National Council of Jewish Women CEO Sheila Katz shared the following statement:
“As Jews, we know all too well the pain of persecution, displacement, and exile, and our history obligates us to speak out against this kind of injustice wherever it occurs. We denounce President Trump’s call for the forced removal of Palestinians from Gaza and condemn Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reaction, which signals support for such actions.
“Palestinian and Israeli civilians yearn for a future beyond war. For over a year, Palestinian and Israeli families — especially women and children — have endured unimaginable suffering, loss, and uncertainty. And now, Palestinians face the threat of forced removal from Gaza as outlined by President Trump. The decision to rebuild or leave is a deeply personal one. Just as families in Los Angeles may choose to rebuild after devastating fires and many Israeli families plan to return to the kibbutzim destroyed on October 7, Palestinians must have that same right. It is not for the President of the United States or anyone to decide the fate of an entire people. Palestinians deserve more than displacement; they deserve the dignity of choice — the right to heal, rebuild, and remain in Gaza if they so wish.
We must all reject language that incites violence. Just as we reject rhetoric that dehumanizes Palestinians and justifies their displacement, we also call out — and will continue to call out — demonstrators who chant ‘from the river to the sea,’ a phrase rooted in Hamas’ charter, which calls for the removal of Jews from Israel. Regardless of intent, this language perpetuates a similarly violent message against the Jewish people, and we urge those who use it to stop immediately. If we are to build a future of peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, we must reject all calls for erasure and displacement, no matter who makes them or whom they target.
“The only lasting future for Israelis and Palestinians is one of peace, where no child fears the sky, no mother buries her dreams beneath rubble, no family lives in constant terror of kidnappings or hostage-taking, and where teenagers can safely dance at music festivals. We must redouble our efforts to forge a future where both peoples can live in security, dignity, and peace. National Council of Jewish Women will always work toward that future.”
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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is the oldest Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. Through the efforts of our 225,000 grassroots advocates and 49 local sections, NCJW combines education, direct service, and advocacy to affect lasting social change at the local, state, and national levels. We approach our work through the intersections of gender, economic, and racial justice to center those most impacted in a uniquely Jewish way. Learn more at NCJW.org, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.