Statement on Gaza

The M.S. Taman Foundation stands for peace and justice as we continue to pursue our goal of supporting grassroots social justice initiatives to help improve our communities around the world. We carry out our founder, Dr. Mahmoud Shawky Taman’s, legacy everyday through the Foundation's commitment to his mission of living in service of others. This includes serving people facing oppression. Therefore, the Foundation seeks to raise awareness about the realities of the current humanitarian crisis of the Palestinian people. We call to action communities around the world, including our supporters, to speak up to end the war on Gaza.

The M.S. Taman Foundation condemns the occupation of Gaza by the Israel government and the ongoing genocide of innocent Palestinian people executed through the Israeli military forces. Neither do we condone the attack on Israeli civilians of October 7, 2023. Our concern is the lives of innocent civilians.

We appeal to our supporters and those who knew Dr. Taman to become aware of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis occurring in Gaza and the realities of the unprecedented rising death toll and suffering of the Palestinian people who have been under siege throughout the 75-year long occupation of their land.

In the months since October 2023 the world has witnessed daily atrocities of violence on Gaza. Continued bombing and on the ground warfare is occurring every day and the loss of life, homes, and neighborhoods continues in shocking numbers. The reality of the violence is tracked by various independent international charitable organizations.

Statistics (LINK) from February 3, 2024 published by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor (LINK) are: 35,096 civilian deaths, including at least 13,642 children. An additional 67,240 civilians are injured. Two million Palestinians have been displaced from their homes and neighborhoods and there is massive destruction of property, including over 283,200 homes. There are children without parents and parents who no longer have children. 

Public infrastructure has been decimated leading to conditions of chaos with over 334 damaged schools, 170 destroyed press headquarters, and 1,720 destroyed industrial facilities. The Israeli military has pursued attacks on any and all buildings including 235 targeted medical facilities and hospitals, killing and injuring almost 689 healthcare staff, and destroying 482 ancient churches and mosques. 121 journalists attempting to report on conditions in Gaza have been killed.  

The Israeli military is openly violating the international laws of war established by the United Nations Accords.  In December 2023 the government of South Africa brought formal legal charges against Israel for genocidal acts in Palestine before the United Nations, International Court of Justice. 

Current conditions within Gaza are desperate as Israel continues to restrict access to clean water, food, and humanitarian aid. Palestinian people are dying from starvation, thirst and disease.  Whether or not you are knowledgeable of the long history of the occupation, we all can recognize the inhumanity occurring in front of our eyes.

The Foundation strongly encourages anyone who knew Dr. Taman or has been moved by his legacy to speak out within your community against the mass killing of innocent people in Palestine, as he would have. We ask that you join us in calling for:

  • A complete ceasefire and an end to the blockade and the war on Gaza

  • Withdrawal of Israeli forces

  • Rapid deployment of international humanitarian and peace keeping forces

  • Immediate humanitarian aid that ensures Palestinians have unrestricted access to:

    • food, shelter and clean water

    • medical care and medical supplies

    • electricity and fuel

  • Peaceful release of political prisoners and hostages

  • Diplomatic solutions

The list below includes helpful links with informative resources about the war on Gaza and the history of the Palestinian occupation including specific instructions on how to contact your political representatives in the United States including how to prepare to talk with your elected officials.

Resource List with Additional Links: If you wish to learn more - we advise you to review the following resources:

    1. Statistics from Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor as of February 3, 2024 (LINK)

    2. Contact your political representatives to end US funding and call for a ceasefire (LINK)

    3. A Palestine Reading List (LINK)

    4. Definition of a Genocide/Why this is a Genocide (LINK)

    5. Films to watch by Palestinian filmmakers (LINK)

    6. Books to read by Palestinian authors (LINK)

    7. Facebook Videos:

      • Dr. Gabor Maté Author and Trauma Expert, Infante survivor of the Holocaust (LINK)

      • Miko Peled, discusses the Israeli Army and its role in terrorism (LINK)

    8. Resources on Palestine from the Rutgers University Center for Security, Race, and Rights, (LINK)