CU Muslim Action Committee (CU MAC) strongly condemns the recent military assault by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, marking the largest operation in over two decades. Emboldened by the US’s support of Israel’s assault on Gaza, Israeli forces began the assault late Tuesday, accompanied by bulldozers, and leaving a trail of destruction after firing live ammunition and tear gas.
Israeli bulldozers have systematically destroyed infrastructure in the West Bank to create an uninhabitable environment for Palestinians. The siege of Jenin city by the Israeli forces leaves Palestinian residents without food, water, electricity and internet access since Wednesday. Residents say Israeli soldiers are deliberately attacking refugee camps. Families were witnessed carrying their belongings as they are forced to flee their homes, reminiscent of the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.
This escalation of the genocide against Palestinians highlights the broader agenda of the colonial entity to ethnically cleanse Palestinians and acquire their land. The violence against Palestinians further illustrates that the central goal has never been about Gaza or Hamas; it has always been about the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the displacement from their land.
This invasion comes as 11 members of the Illinois legislature leave for a trip to Israel, coordinated by the Jewish United Fund. When speaking about the trip, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said, “The bilateral relationship between Illinois and Israel is strong.” We echo the concerns of the IL Coalition for Human Rights, “this trip clearly sends the message that for Illinois, it is business as usual for Israel.”
CU MAC condemns this unprecedented assault and calls on Champaign City Council, as well as state and federal officials to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire before more Palestinians lose their lives, their homes, and their livelihoods.