Help Stop Home Demolitions

This week I shared with many of you reflections from my recent trip to Palestine, including photos of the Bedouin village of Umm El Khair. I mentioned that several homes in Umm El Khair (1/3 of the village) just received word that their homes would be destroyed by July 7. You can read a heartbreaking account of this from one of their residents.

A member of Kehilla Community Synagogue, with whom we partner on immigration work, has reached out to ask if we could make phone calls and send emails to our elected officials asking to stop these demolitions. (Kehilla has had a relationship with Umm El Khair for a few years now.) Below is a sample script you can use, as well as contact information. I urge you to join me in making these calls and sending emails.

Please call and email your Senators and your Congress Member right away. Ask to speak to the staff member who works on foreign affairs and leave a voicemail if needed. Then follow-up with an email to the individual you talk to or leave a message for.  Suggested message: I am a constituent and a member of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church. My pastor just visited the Bedouin village called Umm al-Khair, which is in the Massafar Yatta area of the Occupied West Bank. Many in their community have just been notified that their home will be unjustly destroyed in the next 2 weeks. PLEASE ask the Senator/Congressmen to contact both the US State Department and the Israeli embassy to demand that my friends’ homes not be destroyed for no good reason. They MUST hear this from as many people as possible. Every call counts! If you would like some assistance in taking this action, please let me know. I’d be happy to help you. After you make your three calls and emails, please take a few seconds to log your contact here so Kehilla knows how many folks are taking action, and of Lakeshores participation in this urgent request. Senate: PLEASE CALL BOTH SENATORS: Senator Diane Feinstein Staff Robert Levinson, Robert_levinson@feinstein.senate.gov (202) 224.3841 Senator Alex Padilla Staff:  Jose JJ Villalvazo, jose_villalvazo@padilla.senate.gov 202.224.3553 Emily Latimer emily_lattimer@padilla.senate.gov 202.224.3553 Sydney Olay Sydney_olay@padilla.senate.gov 202.2243553 House:  PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE: Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Staff, Sarah Jackson, sarah.jackson@mail.house.gov (202) 225-2095 Rep. Anna Eshoo Staff Andrew Cohen, Andrew.cohen@mail.house.gov 202.225.8104 Rep. John Garamendi Staff Rob Hurd, Robert.hurd@mail.house.gov 202.225.1880 Rep. Jared Huffman Staff, Alysa Buckler, alysa.buckler@mail.house.gov (202) 225-5161 Rep. Barbara Lee Staff, Greg Adams, Gregory.Adams@mail.house.gov, (202) 225-2661 Rep. Nancy Pelosi Staff McKenzie Fields, mckenzie.fields@mail.house.gov (202)-225-4965