We are sure you will share our shock about the invasion of the Kurdish areas in Syria by Turkey, and the humanitarian catastrophe that is unfolding there.
As well as being a matter of humanitarian concern, this affects Israel as the Kurds have been a vital part of defeating the threat of ISIS in the region, and preventing Iran from establishing a regional hegemony that would threaten Israel. There is a long-standing empathy between the Jewish and Kurdish peoples as two minority groups in the Middle East seeking self-determination and believing in democratic principles.
Israel has issued a statement saying:
“Israel strongly condemns the Turkish invasion of the Kurdish areas in Syria and warns against the ethnic cleansing of the Kurds by Turkey and its proxies. Israel is prepared to extend humanitarian assistance to the gallant Kurdish people.”
Please sign the following statement of solidarity:
We, the undersigned, express our solidarity with the Kurdish people.
We thank the Kurdish people for their role in defeating ISIS.
We strongly condemn the Turkish invasion of the Kurdish areas in Syria and warn against the ethnic cleansing of the Kurds by Turkey and its proxies.
We express our horror at the deaths of at least 60 civilians, including 20 children, and the displacement of up to 275,000 people, including 70,000 children, from their homes. The videos that have circulated online purporting to show Turkish-supporting Syrian militias executing prisoners, including a Kurdish woman politician, Hevrin Khalef, are particularly disturbing.
We are alarmed at the risk that the instability in the region could see a resurgence of ISIS.
We call on all countries to provide humanitarian assistance to the Kurdish people, and freeze arms sales to Turkey, and for the international community to enforce a no-fly zone and bring diplomatic and economic pressure on Turkey to halt its offensive.