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From Jewish Voices for Peace:

I’m beside myself with anger.

10 days ago, 21 year-old Razan al-Najjar, a volunteer medic, was shot dead by an Israeli sniper while treating wounded protestors in a clearly visible medic’s uniform.

There couldn’t be a more fundamental rule of engagement: you don’t kill medical personnel. But this is what happens when soldiers are lined up yards away from protesters and given shoot to kill orders. This is what the world's "most moral army" does.
But what really makes me furious is how hard it is to get this story out with a bare minimum of accuracy and respect.

Friday, the New York Times published an article essentially written by and for the Israeli military. With a bare minimum of context, they shared a (quickly debunked) IDF video that doctored an interview with Razan, and went so far as to say Najjar was a "complex person" and suggested that she wasn't just a "healthcare worker."

Tell the New York Times:
there’s nothing complex about killing an unarmed medic!

Here’s what I think: I think Razan was one of millions of women - especially women of color - holding social justice and freedom movements together. I think she was an example of someone who chose life. And she was killed for it not just by the sniper’s bullet, but by a clear and terrible set of policy choices that reaches right back to the US government - which means we can do something about it.

And that's why it's so outrageous to read the Times' take. There are already all too many people out there diligently whitewashing Israeli military actions. Public conversation in the US is already so skewed. Decent reporting matters!

Tell the New York Times:
there is nothing complex about killing an unarmed medic!

I’m angry, but also incredibly sad. It’s so hard to sit here and not be able to do more. But I do believe that getting the story straight is something we can do - and that its actually necessary if we're going to help stop the killing.

Thanks for jumping in on this,

Ari
Ari Wohlfeiler
Deputy Director

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Jewish Voice for Peace

Tell the NYTimes: there's nothing complex about killing a medic!
There's no reason for the New York Times to report on the killing of Razan an-Najjar by Israeli military snipers so badly. And together we can push back on the kind of terrible coverage they offered last Friday.

Your letter should be 150-175 words, and emailed with your name, city, and phone number to letters@nytimes.com.

Here's some sample language:

There is nothing "complex" about killing an unarmed medic, as the Israeli army just did killing 21 year-old Razan al-Najjar in Gaza.The story is simple: Razan al-Najjar had her hands up and wore a white coat. Nothing justifies Israeli military killing her.

This article and the Times' coverage of recent peaceful protests in Gaza contintually dehumanizes Palestinians. First the author wrote that Razan al-Najjar "lost" her life - as if by chance, rather than clearly delineating that an Israeli sniper shot her. And perhaps most inexcusably, the article re-published an Israeli military propaganda video but waited 20 paragraphs to explain that the debunked piece twisted her words to smear her after she died.

It really helps to explain your personal connection. If you are a medical professional, a Palestinian, a Jewish American, a young woman activist, a student, if you are a parent and can image her parents' pain - any of that personal context helps.

And finally, it can be impactful to put in just a sentence or phrase about the positive vision you hold. Talking about your belief in justice, equality, dignity for all people in Israel/Palestine is in some ways the biggest point to get across.
When you're done, please let us know below so we can keep you updated of other campaign work to honor Razan and hold the The