Deaths in Gaza have topped 55,000. It is our munitions, paid for with our tax dollars, that have killed most of them.

Over 16,000 children have died. It is our munitions, paid for with our tax dollars, that have killed most of them.

Most housing has been destroyed or damaged. It is our munitions, paid for with our tax dollars, that have turned homes into rubble.

One hundred percent of hospitals have been damaged or destroyed. Hundreds of aid workers have been killed. It is our munitions, paid for with our tax dollars, that have wrecked the health care system.

Almost every school, college and university building has been damaged or destroyed. It is our munitions, paid for with our tax dollars, that have wrecked the education system.

Power plants, water treatment plants and most other infrastructure have been destroyed. It is our munitions, paid for with our tax dollars, that are making Gaza uninhabitable.

The population has been repeatedly forced to flee from one unsafe area to another. The finance minister says all Palestinians will be driven out of Gaza. It is our munitions, paid for with our tax dollars, that are driving these mass displacements.

Starvation is spreading while Israel blocks meaningful levels of aid. If this is not genocide, then what is? The U.S. could stop it overnight. How much longer will we continue to fund and arm it? And how much longer will we all remain silent?

Nigel Calder
Newcastle