FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 15, 2014

Contact: Alli McCracken, CODEPINK National Coordinator, 860 575 5692, Alli@codepink.org

Sophia Armen, CODEPINK Los Angeles Campaigner, 818 625 6284, sophia.codepinkla@gmail.com

CODEPINK Disrupts Speech of Israeli Foreign Affair Minister Avigdor Lieberman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- On Monday September 15, 2014, CODEPINK activists Jodie Evans, Sophia Armen and Kristin Delfs disrupted the speech of Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman, at an event organized by the Israeli lobby group Jewish National Fund at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

They called on Lieberman to stop Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, a major obstacle in the way of sustainable and lasting peace, and spoke up against the most recent invasion of Gaza. Passionately raising their hands symbolically painted red, they shouted “You have the blood of over 500 Gazan children on your hands.” The activists were referring to Liberman’s role in the latest round of attacks by Israel that left over 2,100 Palestinians dead, including over 500 children, that has send shock waves around the world and compelled the international community to speak out against these atrocities. “As Obama talks about the brutalities of ISIS, we are here to show our outrage at the brutality of Israel. Is it not brutal to murder 500 children in their homes and schools? What have we become to not see this as outrageous?” cried Jodie Evans.

Israel’s “Operation Protective Edge” included the bombing of UN schools and hospitals,  prompting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to call Israel’s actions “criminal.” According to the UN, Gaza’s devastation is irreversible, as over 18,000 housing units were destroyed, leaving 108,000 people homeless.”

“It is time for people of conscience around the world to rise us and condemn these atrocities. The targeting of civilians, especially children, are war crimes that people like Avigdor Lieberman must be held responsible for,” said CODEPINK Los Angeles organizer Sophia Armen.

CODEPINK condemns Israel’s recent actions and the ongoing assault on Palestinian human rights and livelihoods. Activists are available for interview on this pressing matter.

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