The cost of Israel’s war on Gaza is tremendous and multidimensional. Officially, 41,700 innocent people have been killed — around half of them children. Approximately 1.9 million people, or 90% of Gaza’s population, have been displaced. In the first six months of war, over 70,000 tons of bombs were dropped creating over 40 million tons of rubble. It is estimated that there are over 10,000 bodies that remain unaccounted for, trapped under the rubble. As we mark the one year anniversary of Israel’s relentless and ongoing bombardment of Gaza, let us more closely examine the cost to Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure and the implications of its destruction.
Prior to October 7th, 2023, Gaza sustained a thriving agricultural infrastructure despite the land, air, and sea blockade imposed by Israel in 2007. In 2022, Gaza exported close to $45M in produce sales almost entirely to the West Bank (79% of exports) and Israel (19% of exports). Gaza’s main produce exports are strawberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers but many other crops are grown across Gaza such as olives. The deep connection that Palestinians share with the olive tree for its symbolic representation of resilience in the face of Israeli occupation alongside its many practical uses provide a key role for olives in the local economy. Over the past year, about 60% of Gaza’s farmland has been destroyed or damaged. Experts warn that Israel’s military hardware and extensive bombing will leave the soil infertile. This means that even after the bombs stop dropping, the people of Gaza will remain unable to feed themselves for many years.
Less than 4% of fresh water in Gaza is drinkable and proper hygiene and sanitation are nearly impossible. The United Nations and UNICEF estimate that the average person in Gaza has access to between 1 and 3 liters of water for day for all needs — this is between 5 and 10 times less than the amount of water needed to survive in emergency situations according to humanitarian standards. The shortage of food and water has contributed to the death of around 70% of livestock in Gaza, making it even more challenging for people to nourish themselves.
In 2021, Gaza produced approximately 4,700 tons of fish which is particularly impressive given that fishermen are only permitted to work within 12 nautical miles. Now, almost all of the boats in Gaza’s main fishing port have been destroyed and the pier is no longer functional. Fishermen who attempt to fish for food in the ocean risk being targeted and killed by Israeli forces who routinely open fire on people trying to find food on land as well as at sea. Not only has Israel restricted the access of humanitarian aid into Gaza, but they have also ensured that Gaza is unable to feed itself.
As of October 7th, 2024, Israel believes that there are still 97 of the total 251 hostages being held by Hamas, 64 of whom are believed to still be alive. Until there is a permanent ceasefire and tangible steps are taken toward peace, Israelis and Palestinians alike will continue to be unsafe. The active role of the United States in providing arms to Israel is not helping to stabilize the region — it is only contributing to violence.
We are writing today to ask for your help to pass the NY HEAT Act – essential climate and energy affordability legislation in this year’s budget. National Fuel has been bombarding local Legislators with robocalls against the bill, seeking to block New York’s climate plan from moving forward (read more about National Fuel’s dirty dealings here). We need your help counteracting those calls..
WNY Assemblymembers Peoples-Stokes, Burke, Conrad, Wallace and McMahon need to hear from you! Only Jon Rivera has sponsored NY HEAT and he needs calls and e-mails of encouragement.
As their constituents YOU can help loosen National Fuel’s grip on these legislators by calling and e-mailing them today. Use our handy tool to make the call and/or send an e-mail. To call, click the phone icon at the top of the blue section. To email, click the letter icon.
Or call their office and use this script:
“Hello, my name is ___ and I live in ____________and I’m a constituent of Assemblymember _____________. I’m calling to express my support for the NY HEAT Act bill number A.4592B and ask that it be passed in the budget. The Governor and the Senate are ready to lead on climate in this year’s budget, but the Assembly is standing in the way of climate progress and energy affordability. I’m asking Assembly Member ________________ to support the inclusion of the full NY HEAT Act in the budget. We deserve cleaner heat and lower bills.”
Do you have an hour or two to spare for climate action? Join Food and Water Watch for call banking your neighbors in Western New York and urging them to contact their Assemblymembers. We have a list of climate advocates to call.
For a deeper dive into the state of play with NY HEAT, tune in for our April Power Hour on Thursday, April 4th at 7PM for an update from Jessica Azulay of AGREE and Liz Moran of Earth Justice. They will be sharing their insight into the politics at play and their ideas for how we can help apply the right pressure to the right people in the Assembly.
Join us for another taping of Talking Peace Radio! On “Remembering Hiroshima & Nagasaki for a Nuclear-Free Future” featuring Jim Anderson, President of Peace Action NYS, Steering Committee Member of Peace Action ( joining us from Japan, where he’s working with the Hibakusha and community of Hiroshima/Nagasaki); Martha Hennessy, Kings Bay Plowshares, Catholic Worker, granddaughter of Dorothy Day (CW founder); Shannon Seneca, Haudenosaunee Environmental Engineer, Mohawk, Turtle Clan, Environmental Health Specialist working as Assistantt Faculty at Roswell Park’s Center for Indigenous Cancer Research, Alternate Member on West Valley Citizen Taskforce; Sameria Mbili, Past President Peace Action Canisius College, Member of WNY Peace Center (WNYPC); with host Victory Ross, WNYPC Board Chair.
Discussion topics will include:
values
remembering US nuclear bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
nuclear weapons are illegal since Jan 2021 passing of Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – campaign for US passing TPNW
the danger and destruction of the nuclear chain (mining, refining, weapons, power, waste – here, in Japan, plus…)
costs in pollution, human life, suffering in natural world, extreme threat and risk; opportunity cost
ways people can help with environmental justice, Indigenous sovereignty, strengthen UN
The show is taped for just under an hour by Think Twice Radio: Home of the Future (thanks to Richard Wicka, our wonderful producer). The Zoom recording, livestreamed on Facebook during the taping, will air on WBNY 91.3FM on the following Monday at 1pm EST. After airing, you can also find the video archived on the WNY Peace Center YouTube channel.
