Ban Israel from the Olympics

Children who once dreamed of competing at the Olympics are buried under the rubble of their homes in Gaza - and people everywhere... [Sign now]( Children who once dreamed of competing at the Olympics are buried under the rubble of their homes in Gaza - and people everywhere are calling on the Olympic committee to ban Israel from the Paris Games next month if its assault on Palestinian civilians continues. The committee is meeting in just days - let's stand against the mass killing of children. [Sign now]( Dear friends, Next month, the world will turn its eyes to the Olympics in Paris. 36,000 of those who could be watching with us from Gaza are dead. Children who once dreamed of competing have had their limbs torn from them. And unless something changes, the Israeli government will still be bombing Gaza as athletes compete in its name: Israel has just announced its willingness to continue the war for seven more months. As the world comes together for the Olympics, we have the chance to send a message that mass killing of civilians will not be tolerated by the global community. Pressure is building for a plan that would see Israeli athletes compete - just not under Israel's flag. The Olympic committee meets on June 12: let's be one million voices demanding that Israel be banned until its government stops the assault on Palestinian lives! [International Olympic Committee: Ban Israel now]( The October 7 massacre was an unspeakable horror and every day since the horrors have continued. The Olympics are a moment for the global community to come together in peace, and bans have sent a powerful message before to countries accused of committing atrocities. The Olympic committee banned Russia just four days after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and they barred South Africa in 1964 as a way to demonstrate unified international disapproval for apartheid. As with Russian athletes, a ban could still allow Israeli athletes to participate as neutrals, unaffiliated with a government whose leaders have now been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes. Calls for a ban are growing: Protests have broken out outside the Olympics headquarters in Paris, lawmakers have petitioned for a ban, and Olympics experts are calling the IOC out for their double standards. A colossal wave of support could be the final push that is needed to move the Olympic committee. Add your name now, and share with at least one friend. [International Olympic Committee: Ban Israel now]( There is no peace or safety for Israelis or Palestinians down this path of blood and war. Our community has shown up by the millions to defend Palestinian and Israeli lives, and as the world comes together in peace for the Olympics, we have an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those suffering untold horrors in Gaza. Let’s push for accountability once more and honor the memories of those whose dreams have been destroyed. With hope and determination, Liliana, John, Alice, Miguel, and the rest of the Avaaz team More information: - [Protests and push to ban Israel: Paris Olympics will be like no other, says ex-NBA player]( (Anadolu Agency) - [Why Israel Should Be Banned From the Paris Olympics]( (Common Dreams - Opinion) - [Children die of malnutrition as Rafah operation heightens threat of famine in Gaza]( (The Guardian) - [Pro-Palestinian protesters call on Olympic officials to limit Israel’s participation in Paris Games]( (AP) Avaaz is a 70-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 22 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns [here](, or follow us on [Facebook](, [X](, or [Instagram](. You became a member of the Avaaz movement and started receiving these emails when you signed "Join Avaaz!" on 2016-03-01 using the email address {EMAIL}. To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, [contact us](, or simply [go here to unsubscribe](. To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at [www.avaaz.org/en/contact]( . [Avaaz.org] 27 Union Square West Suite 500 New York, NY 10003 [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram](