i don't post serious things on the forum very often, but here goes:

i've been shocked and disgusted every single day I read about israel's war on gaza.  if you're not overly familiar with the conflict, Israel has destroyed hospitals, mosques, and almost all centers of learning in the gaza strip, along with directly bombing apartment buildings.  there's video evidence of cluster bombs and white phosphorous being used, which are maybe some of the worst things imaginable to drop upon one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world (and considered war crimes by like every major nation but America and Israel).  

al-jazeera reports today that "The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 854 and more than 3,650 injured as the Israeli offensive entered its third week," with hundreds of those deaths women and children.  this, coupled with weeks of no power and therefore little access to fresh water, along with a blockade that restricts access to food and medicine, means that the death toll will only continue to rise.

i don't know what else I can do other than try to give money to help people get medical attention, and maybe try to encourage others to donate as well.

this isn't a israel vs. palestine thread, so don't make it into one - i don't really want to hear zionist justifications for this war, and, conversely, if you somehow think this war is just, I doubt you're going to be very responsive to my position either.  instead, this is a thread to provide links for anyone interested in supporting organizations that are directly helping Palestinians on the ground that need food and medical attention.  I cribbed this list from another forum that's trying to do the same thing, but if anyone has additional charities or relief organizations they know of, please feel free to post them.  

thanks for your time, and please donate if this is meaningful to you and you are able,
mgg






Oxfam International - http://www.oxfam.org/

"Oxfam International is a confederation of 13 like-minded organizations working together and with partners and allies around the world to bring about lasting change.

We work directly with communities and we seek to influence the powerful to ensure that poor people can improve their lives and livelihoods and have a say in decisions that affect them."


International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - http://www.ifrc.org/

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian organization, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

Founded in 1919, the International Federation comprises 186 member Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, a Secretariat in Geneva and more than 60 delegations strategically located to support activities around the world. There are more societies in formation. The Red Crescent is used in place of the Red Cross in many Islamic countries.

The Federation's vision: We strive, through voluntary action, for a world of empowered communities, better able to address human suffering and crises with hope, respect for dignity and a concern for equity.

Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. Vulnerable people are those who are at greatest risk from situations that threaten their survival, or their capacity to live with an acceptable level of social and economic security and human dignity. Often, these are victims of natural disasters, poverty brought about by socio-economic crises, refugees, and victims of health emergencies.


Amnesty Interational - http://www.amnesty.org/

Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all.

Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity.

We have more than 2.2 million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries and regions and we coordinate this support to act for justice on a wide range of issues.


Medical Aid for Palestinians - http://www.map-uk.org/

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is a British charity that operates in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Lebanon. We deliver health and medical care to vulnerable Palestinians and strive to establish a permanent medical infrastructure in Palestinian communities by training health care practitioners, teaching medical vocational skills and addressing the requirements of particularly vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities.

MAP offers practical medical support to Palestinians, and other victims of conflict and displacement, by working with local non-governmental organisations and the Palestinian Health Service on the following priority areas:

-Providing health care in isolated rural communities of the West Bank;

-Improving child nutrition in Gaza;

-Contributing to psycho-social support efforts for women and children affected by the conflict;

-Assist people with congenital disabilities and disabilities due to injury.


UNRWA - http://www.un.org/unrwa/

Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, was established by United Nations General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950. In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until 30 June 2011.

Since its establishment, the Agency has delivered its services in times of relative calm in the Middle East, and in times of hostilities. It has fed, housed and clothed tens of thousands of fleeing refugees and at the same time educated and given health care to hundreds of thousands of young refugees.

UNRWA is unique in terms of its long-standing commitment to one group of refugees and its contributions to the welfare and human development of four generations of Palestine refugees. Originally envisaged as a temporary organization, the Agency has gradually adjusted its programmes to meet the changing needs of the refugees. Today, UNRWA is the main provider of basic services - education, health, relief and social services - to over 4.6 million registered Palestine refugees in the Middle East.


Doctors Without Borders - http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) is a private international association. The association is made up mainly of doctors and health sector workers and is also open to all other professions which might help in achieving its aims. All of its members agree to honor the following principles:

Médecins Sans Frontières provides assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict. They do so irrespective of race, religion, creed or political convictions.

Médecins Sans Frontières observes neutrality and impartiality in the name of universal medical ethics and the right to humanitarian assistance and claims full and unhindered freedom in the exercise of its functions.

Members undertake to respect their professional code of ethics and to maintain complete independence from all political, economic, or religious powers.

As volunteers, members understand the risks and dangers of the missions they carry out and make no claim for themselves or their assigns for any form of compensation other than that which the association might be able to afford them.



ANERA - http://www.anera.org

ANERA is a leading provider of development, health, education and employment programs to Palestinian communities and impoverished families throughout the Middle East.

Incorporated in 1968 to help ease the suffering of Palestinian refugees after the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, ANERA is non-political and non-religious and is one of the largest American non-profits working solely in the Middle East for 40 years.

In fiscal year 2008, ANERA delivered more than $50 million worth of donated medicine and medical supplies into Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.

With offices in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan, ANERA employs more than 60 full-time staff who are locally hired and work with local partners.

ANERA helps local institutions become more self-sufficient and effective in serving their communities. Every project is planned in consultation with the communities that ultimately benefit — an approach that ensures relevancy and commitment, and secures the long-term viability of the projects.



The Israeli Information Center For Human Rights In The Occupied Territories - http://www.btselem.org/English/

The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories was established in 1989 by a group of prominent academics, attorneys, journalists, and Knesset members. It endeavors to document and educate the Israeli public and policymakers about human rights violations in the Occupied Territories, combat the phenomenon of denial prevalent among the Israeli public, and help create a human rights culture in Israel.

B'Tselem in Hebrew literally means "in the image of," and is also used as a synonym for human dignity. The word is taken from Genesis 1:27 "And God created humans in his image. In the image of God did He create him." It is in this spirit that the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "All human beings are born equal in dignity and rights."

As an Israeli human rights organization, B'Tselem acts primarily to change Israeli policy in the Occupied Territories and ensure that its government, which rules the Occupied Territories, protects the human rights of residents there and complies with its obligations under international law.

B'Tselem is independent and is funded by contributions from foundations in Europe and North America that support human rights activity worldwide, and by private individuals in Israel and abroad.

B'Tselem has attained a prominent place among human rights organizations. In December, 1989 it received the Carter-Menil Award for Human Rights. Its reports have gained B'Tselem a reputation for accuracy, and the Israeli authorities relate to them seriously. B'Tselem ensures the reliability of information it publishes by conducting its own fieldwork and research, the results of which are thoroughly cross-checked with relevant documents, official government sources, and information from other sources, among them Israeli, Palestinian, and other human rights organizations.


(you can also do things like buy fairtrade palestinian-made products (olive oil and that sort of thing), if you're interested, at places like this:  http://www.zaytoun.org/)