Fwd: [Israel & OPT] Amnesty’s research is rock solid

Our Crisis Evidence Lab [View in Browser]( Dear {NAME}, I want to make sure you saw Amnesty International USA’s Executive Director Paul O’Brien’s important note below. With evidence still emerging of the violations committed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Amnesty’s research is playing a vital role in documenting testimonies and evidence of these attacks. Amnesty has more than 60 years of experience of international human rights research and advocacy. Our work holds those who break international humanitarian and human rights laws accountable and brings justice for those whose human rights are violated. We’ll be in touch very soon with resources to take action to stop human rights violations and protect civilians. Best, — Billie From: Paul, Executive Director — Amnesty USA Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2023 Subject: [Israel & OPT] Misinformation is rampant [Amnesty International candle logo]( Dear {NAME}, Ever since violence erupted in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, photos and videos purporting to show the crisis have poured in from the region onto social media. So too, has false and misleading information been flooding the internet. But tackling misinformation and challenging misleading narratives is what Amnesty International does best. Yesterday, Amnesty's Crisis Evidence Lab verified that Israeli military units striking Gaza are equipped with white phosphorus artillery rounds.1 We are investigating what appears to be the use of white phosphorus in Gaza, including in a strike near a hotel on the beach in Gaza City.2 And earlier this week, video footage analyzed by the Evidence Lab verified members of Hamas or other Palestinian armed groups from Gaza on the initial day of the attacks were deliberately shooting at civilians and taking civilians as hostages. We confirmed at least 260 civilians were killed at the Nova Music Festival.3 Each of these incidents were meticulously analyzed before they were verified. Amnesty’s Crisis Evidence Lab is a multidisciplinary team that uses cutting-edge investigation tools to document human rights violations. It helps to ensure that information emerging from conflict areas is timely, accurate and meets the needs of human rights work in crisis situations. Comprised of investigators, engineers, and developers, our team of experts use geolocation data, obtain photos and videos, check satellite image records, and interview witnesses. We combine first-hand statements from witnesses with digitally-verified evidence to allow us to see through the fog of war and determine what really happened. I cannot stress this enough: The Crisis Evidence Lab is an incredibly powerful arm of Amnesty International. Documentation from the Evidence Lab and other Amnesty research has been used by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigations. Our research holds those who break international humanitarian and human rights laws accountable, and it brings justice for those whose human rights are violated. With evidence still emerging of the violations committed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Amnesty International will continue its investigations to determine the full range of crimes committed by all parties under international law. Amnesty International calls on: - The international community to urge all actors in this crisis to respect the rules of international humanitarian law - Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza to release all civilian hostages unconditionally and immediately - States including the U.S. and EU member states to refrain from supplying Israel with arms, weapons or equipment that could be used to commit crimes under international law - The international community to refrain from supplying arms to Palestinian armed groups including Hamas and the Palestine Islamic Jihad - The state of Israel to rescind the evacuation order and lift the siege of civilians in Gaza and ensure that humanitarian aid (including food and medical supplies) as well as electricity are available to all residents of Gaza, as well as end its 16-year-long unlawful blockade on Gaza - The Biden administration to recognize that the injustices and violations that are among the root causes of this violence must be addressed as a matter of urgency. Civilians will continue to pay a heavy price until Israel dismantles its system of apartheid against Palestinians {NAME}, massacring, targeting, and killing civilians are war crimes. There can be no justification for these reprehensible attacks, which we fear are continuing to mount. Amnesty International stands in solidarity with all the victims of the attacks in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We will continue to advocate for an end to violence and justice and reparations for victims. We’ll be in touch again soon with resources to take action to stop human rights violations and protect civilians. Sincerely, Paul O'Brien Executive Director Amnesty International USA [1] [( [2] [( [3] [( [DONATE NOW]( © 2023 Amnesty International USA 311 W 43rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036 | 1-800-AMNESTY Please don't reply to this email. You can send questions to aimember@aiusa.org. We’re so happy you’re here to hear about the most important updates on human rights! 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