Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel to Prevent a Humanitarian Catastrophe and Further Loss of Innocent Lives

We have witnessed unfathomable death and destruction in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Thousands of people have been killed, injured, displaced, and nearly two hundred remain held hostage, including children and elderly.

In Gaza, the UN has said that water, food, fuel, medical supplies, and even body bags, are running out due to the siege. The UN warned that people – particularly young children – will soon start dying of severe dehydration. Neighbourhoods have been destroyed and turned into complete rubble. Palestinians in search of safety have nowhere to go. Many of those who relocated from northern Gaza to the south after the relocation order by the Israeli army were reportedly bombed as they attempted to flee or once they arrived in southern Gaza.

The events of the last week have led us to the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe and the world can no longer wait to act. It is our collective responsibility.

On Sunday, October 15th, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator to the Occupied Palestinian Territory appealed to all parties to the conflict, and to Member States with influence, to urgently agree to a humanitarian ceasefire.

Today, we put our voices together and call on all Heads of State, the UN Security Council, and actors on the ground, to prioritize the preservation of human life above all else. During this ceasefire, we call on all parties to unconditionally:

• Facilitate the delivery of lifesaving assistance, including food, medical supplies, fuel, and the resumption of electricity and internet to Gaza, in addition to safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff Free all civilian hostages, especially children and elderly
• Allow humanitarian convoys to reach UN facilities, schools, hospitals, and health facilities in northern Gaza and commit to protecting them along with the civilians and staff inside them at all times
• Rescind orders by the Government of Israel for civilians to depart northern Gaza
• Allow patients in critical condition to be medically evacuated for urgent care
• The UN Security Council, the UN Secretary General and all world leaders with influence must take immediate action to ensure a ceasefire comes into effect. It remains our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe. Anything less will forever be a stain on our collective conscience.

Civilians are not bargaining chips. Families need a chance to bury and mourn their dead. The cycle of violence against innocent civilians needs to stop.

Signatories

1. 11.11
2. 38 Degrees
3. 50:50 NI
4. ABCD Bethlehem
5. Abductees Mothers Association
6. Academic Foundation for Peace-Conflict Studies
7. ACAT France
8. ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
9. Action Corps
10. Action For Humanity
11. ActionAid International
12. Africa4Palestine
13. Africans Rising
14. Afro-Middle East Centre
15. Agaji Global Unity Foundation, Nigeria
16. Agriculture Development Associations PARC
17. Ajyal Foundation for Education
18. Al Basma Club for the Disabled
19. Al-Nidal Association for Human Rights
20. Alliance Internationale –AIDL
21. Alquds center for Political Studies
22. American Friends Service Committee
23. Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action)
24. Americares
25. Amis de Sabeel France
26. Amos Trust
27. Anera
28. AOI
29. Arab foundation for civil society and human rights
30. Arab NGO Network for Development
31. Armadilla Scs
32. ARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth
33. Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz
34. Asia Pacific Network for International Education and Values Education (APNIEVE)
35. Philippines
36. Asociación Otra Escuela
37. Association Ifriqiya
38. Association of War Affected Women
39. ASSOPACEPALESTINA
40. Avaaz
41. Baptist Union of Wales
42. Basmeh & Zeitooneh for Relief and Development
43. BELaady Organization for Human Rights
44. Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine
45. Bina
46. Bond, the UK network for INGOs
47. Broederlijk Delen
48. Bytes For All, Pakistan
49. Caesar Families Association
50. CAFOD
51. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
52. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)
53. CARAS
54. Care International
55. Carolina Peace Center
56. CCFD-Terre Solidaire
57. Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights
58. Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
59. Center for Human Rights in Iran
60. Center for Peace Education, Miriam College
61. Central Asian Network on Statelessness
62. Centre for human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)
63. Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy -CPRA
64. CESVI
65. cfd – The feminist Peace Organisation
66. Change Horizons Forum
67. ChildFund Alliance
68. Christian Aid
69. Christian Aid Ireland
70. Church and Peace – Ecumenical peace church network in Europe
71. Church World Service
72. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
73. CIDSE
74. CISP
75. CISS – COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE SUD SUD
76. City of Sanctuary Sheffield
77. CIVICUS
78. CNCD-11.11.11
79. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Asia Pacific
80. Coexist Community kitchen CIC
81. Committee to Protect Journalists
82. COPE Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti
83. COSPE
84. Cotidiana Mujer AFM
85. Council for Arab-British Understanding
86. Council on American-Islamic Relations
87. Counterpoints Arts
88. CRIC – Centro Regionale d’Intervento per la Cooperazione ETS
89. Culturel Center Beethoven Bettounssi
90. DanChurchAid
91. Danish Refugee Council
92. Daraj Media
93. DC Peace Team
94. Défense des Enfants International – Belgique
95. Defense Foundation for Rights and Freedom
96. Delawareans for Palestinian Human Rights
97. Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)
98. Democracy School
99. Denis Hurley Peace Institute
100. Diakonia
101. Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality
102. Dóchas
103. docP – BDS Netherlands
104. Economistas sin Fronteras
105. EducAid
106. Educo Member of ChildFund Alliance
107. EL SPACE
108. Embrace the Middle East
109. English for Action (EFA) London
110. Entraide & Fraternité
111. Episcopal Relief & Development
112. Escola de Cultura de Pau (School for a Culture of Peace)
113. Eşit Haklar İçin İzleme Derneği
114. Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor
115. European Alternatives
116. European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
117. European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (ECR2P)
118. European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine – ECCP
119. European Network on Statelessness
120. Fédération Internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH)
121. Feminist Task Force
122. Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid
123. Fields of Peace
124. Foro Ciudadano Relaciones Celac-UE
125. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)
126. France Palestine Mental Health Network
127. Friends Committee on National Legislation
128. Friends of Nablus and Surrounding areas (FONSA)
129. Fundación Cultura de Paz
130. Fundación ISCOD – Sindicalistas sin fronteras
131. FUNDACIÓN MUNDUBAT
132. Futuro en Común
133. Gandhi Development Trust Phoenix Settlement Trust
134. Gender Action for Peace and Security
135. Gender Advisory Team
136. Genera: Red de mujeres feministas por la equidad de género en el Desarrollo
137. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
138. Global Communities
139. Global Health Italian Network
140. Global Justice Center
141. Global Justice Now
142. Global Link
143. Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)
144. Global Rights
145. Global Witness
146. GPPAC Pacific-Pacific Women Mediators Network
147. Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
148. Haliéus
149. Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion
150. Hawai’i Institute for Human Rights
151. Health Justice Initiative (HJI) South Africa
152. Health Poverty Action
153. HEKS/EPER – Swiss Church Aid
154. Helen Suzman Foundation
155. HelpAge Interational
156. HIAS
157. Human Life Foundation for Development and Relief
158. Human Rights & Democracy Media Center ‎‏“‏SHAMS‏”‏
159. Human Rights Sentinel
160. Humans for Rights Network
161. Husna Foundation
162. ICNA
163. ICNA Council for Social Justice
164. ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ)
165. IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation
166. IM Swedish Development Partner
167. Ina autra senda – Swiss Friends of Combatants for Peace
168. INGO ALG CONSULTING GROUP
169. Innovation for Change – Middle East and North Africa
170. Innovation for Change South Asia
171. Institute for Policy Studies – New Internationalism Project
172. Institute for Security Studies
173. Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion
174. International Federation for Human Rights
175. International Press Institute
176. International Rescue Committee
177. INTERSOS
178. IPMHN Ireland Palestine Mental Health Network
179. Iraqi Women Network
180. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
181. Islamic Center of Boca Raton
182. Islamic Center of Detroit
183. Islamic Center of Yorba Linda
184. Islamic Relief
185. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)
186. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK- UK
187. Israelisches Komitee gegen Hauszerstörungen (ICAHD) Germany
188. Japan international Volunteer Center(JVC)
189. Jewish Network for Palestine
190. Jewish Voice for Democracy and Justice in Israel/Palestine jvjp, Switzerland
191. Jewish Voice for Peace Albuquerque
192. Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council
193. Jews against the Occupation Sydney
194. Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
195. Jusoor Center for Studies and Development
196. Kairos Palestine
197. Kairos Palestine Sweden
198. Kairos Sabeel Netherlands
199. Kenya Human Rights Commission
200. KURVE Wustrow – Centre for Training and Networking in Nonviolent Action e.V.
201. La Coordinadora de ONGD -España
202. Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights
203. Lebanese Union for persons with physical disability/Arab forum for the rights of persons with disabilities
204. Liberian Energy Network
205. Ligue Algérienne de Défense des Droits de l’Homme – LADDH
206. Lutheran World Federation
207. MADRE
208. Marib Girls Foundation
209. Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
210. Medact
211. Médecins du Monde International Network
212. Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
213. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
214. medico international
215. medico international schweiz
216. MENA Statelessness Network (Hawiati)
217. Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
218. Mercy Corp
219. Mercy-USA for Aid and Development
220. Middle East and North Africa Partnership for Preventing of Armed Conflict –
221. MENAPPAC
222. Middle East Children’s Alliance
223. Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy (MEND)
224. Migrant Roots Media
225. Min Haqi Foundation to empower women politically and economically
226. Misereor
227. Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre (Australian Province)
228. Mouvement Social
229. Musaala Organization for Human Rights
230. Muslim Aid
231. Muslim Legal Fund of America
232. Mwatana for Human Rights
233. Naseef Muallem
234. National Cancer Control Foundatin – Yemen
235. Nationality For All
236. Network of the independent Commission for Human rights in North Africa CIDH
237. AFRICA
238. NGO SPES
239. NGOs Platform of Saida – Tajamoh
240. Nobel Women’s Initiative
241. Nonviolence Network in the Arab Countries
242. Nonviolent Peaceforce
243. Nophotozone
244. North American Imams Fellow
245. North West Migrants Forum
246. Northern Friends Peace Board
247. Norwegian Church Aid
248. Norwegian Refugee Council
249. OMCT Tunisia
250. Outright International
251. Oxfam
252. Palestinian Human Rights Organisation “PHRO”
253. PARCIC
254. PAX
255. Pax Christi Australia
256. Pax Christi International
257. Pax Christi Pilipinas
258. Pax Christi USA
259. Peace and freedom ORG.( PFO)
260. Peace Boat
261. Peace Committee, 15th St. Friends Meeting, NYC
262. Peace Direct
263. Peace Organization for Peaceful Coexistence
264. Peace Watch Switzerland
265. Peace Winds Japan
266. Peacemaker Trust
267. Permanent Peace Movement
268. Piattaforma OSC italiane in Medio Oriente e Mediterraneo
269. Plan International USA
270. Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine
271. PREMIERE URGENCE INTERNATIONALE
272. Première Urgence Internationale
273. Project on Middle East Democracy
274. Protection Approaches
275. PVE for Peace
276. PVE Works
277. Quakers in Britain
278. Rainbow Refugees NI
279. Rebuilding Alliance
280. Reclaim The Sea
281. Red Dot Foundation Global
282. RefuAid
283. Refugee Support Group
284. ReThinking Foreign Policy
285. Revista La Mar de Onuba
286. Right to Movement Palestine
287. Rights Realization Centre
288. Romanian Peace Institute – PATRIR
289. Roshanka
290. Sabeel
291. Sabeel Kairos Norway
292. Sabeel-Kairos UK
293. Salam for Democracy and Human Rights
294. Salam For Yemen
295. SALAM NGO
296. SAM Organization for Rights and Libertie
297. Sanad alBasra Organization for Human Rights
298. Save the Children
299. SB Overseas Soutien Belge
300. Schengen Peace Foundation
301. Search for Common Ground
302. Secours Islamique France (SIF)
303. SEDRA-FEDERACIÓN PLANIFICACIÓN FAMILIAR
304. TV
305. Seenaryo
306. Sheba Youth Foundation
307. Shining Star educational organization of Afghanistan
308. Shma Koleinu – Alternative Jewish Voices of NZ
309. Social Development Hodeida Girls Foundation
310. Solutions for a Small Planet
311. SOS Children’s Villages Palestine
312. SOS Children’s Villages the Netherlands
313. SOS Childrens Villages International
314. Statefree
315. Ster
316. STOPAIDS
317. Strategic Dialogue Group
318. Study sky academy
319. SUDS – International association of solidarity and cooperation
320. Syrian American Medical Society
321. Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR).
322. Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ)
323. Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights
324. Tanzania Community Health Information and Support
325. Terre Des Hommes Foundation Lausanne
326. Terre des Hommes International Federation
327. Terre des Hommes Italia
328. The Center for Mind Body Medicine
329. The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation
330. The Episcopal Church
331. The Foundation for Middle East Peace
332. The Khalifa Ihler Institute
333. The Mosque Cares | Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed
334. The Palestinian Return Centre
335. The Pickwell Foundation
336. The United Church of Canada
337. the3million
338. UK-Palestine Mental Health Network
339. UN Association of San Diego
340. UN Youth Association of Romania – Cluj Branch
341. United Against Inhumanity
342. United Nations Association – UK
343. University Network for Human Rights
344. UOSSM International
345. US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO)
346. Vento di Terra
347. VIS
348. Viva Salud
349. VOLONTARI NEL MONDO RTM
350. Vrede vzw
351. War Child Holland
352. War Child Sweden
353. War Child UK
354. War Childhood Museum
355. War on Want
356. We Effect
357. Welfare Association (UK)
358. WESPAC Foundation, Inc.
359. WeWorld – Member of ChildFund Alliance
360. WILPF Spain
361. Womankind Worldwide
362. Women and Gender Institute
363. Women for Peace
364. Women for Women International
365. Women in Black Vienna
366. Women Political Alliance – Kenya
367. Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC)
368. Women’s Institute for Leadership Development
369. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom UK
370. Women’s International Peace Centre
371. Women’s Refugee Commission
372. World Federalist Movement/ Institute for Global Policy
373. World Student Christian Federation
374. Worldwide Women’s Forum
375. Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation
376. Youth Against Irregular Migration
377. Youth Vision Society