Since 7 October and the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas, some 33.000 Palestinians have been killed and 75.000 injured in the incessant bombing of Gaza by Israeli forces. This deadly offensive comes in the wake of a massive attack launched on Israel by Hamas, in which 1,200 Israelis lost their lives and 240 Israelis and foreign nationals were taken hostage.
A campaign to stop arms transfer
Faced with the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, the Ceasefire Now coalition, in collaboration with numerous NGOs including HI, is organizing a global day of action on May 2.
The event consists of a series of messages and visuals to be broadcast on social networks, calling on states to stop arms transfers to Israel and Palestinian armed groups, and highlighting the devastating impact of their use on the civilian population.
A rally around a giant dummy gun with a knotted barrel will also take place on May 2 at 9 a.m. in front of the Eiffel Tower. Several NGO spokespersons will be on hand to answer questions from invited journalists.
The ravages of explosive weapons
The escalation of violence in Gaza has reached an unprecedented level of severity. Israeli bombardments have deprived Gazans of vital goods and services: the violence has damaged or destroyed around 62% of all homes in Gaza. 84% of health facilities have been destroyed or damaged. The level of destruction is such that the territory has become almost uninhabitable.
Countries targeted by the campaign
This campaign is aimed primarily at the following countries, among Israel's leading arms suppliers:
The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Australia, which are major arms exporters to Israel, particularly the USA and Germany.
"Without a halt to arms transfers, the bombardment of populated areas will never cease. The escalation of violence in Gaza since October 7 is fuelled by the proliferation of weapons, and may be a form of complicity in violations of international law. This Global Day of Action on May 2 is a crucial step towards ending the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza."
Florence Daunis, HI International Operations Director
The objectives of this global day of action
- Raising awareness: the event aims to sensitize the global community to the devastating impact of arms transfers on human rights, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Civilians suffer the violence and devastating consequences of arms proliferation.
- Advocate policy change: campaign participants call on governments around the world, particularly those identified as major exporters of arms to Israel, to end arms transfers.
To join the international mobilisation on 2 May, visit our social networks
(links at the bottom of this page)
