IfNotNow Twin Cities and all people standing for freedom and justice are calling on the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) to condemn the violence against unarmed Palestinians protestors.

On March 30th, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) opened fire on protesters in Gaza, killing 17 and injuring over 1,400 — over half of whom were injured after being shot with live ammunition.

On April 6th, the second week of protests, 9 more Palestinians were killed and over 250 were shot with live fire.

The decision of the IDF to shoot protesters in prayer, running away, or waving a flag is not just clearly a violation of international law: it is a moral crisis.

Nonetheless, far too many leaders in Jewish community have been silent. In particular, as a leading voice for Jews in Minnesota, the JCRC's silence has been deafening.

To condemn the shooting of unarmed protesters is neither bold nor brave: it is the bare minimum we should expect from any moral leader.

We call on the JCRC of Minnesota and the Dakotas to immediately and unambiguously express that this and any future violence against Palestinian protesters is unacceptable.