Central Coast Advocates for Peace in the Middle East

Category: Updates

  • Jan 2026 update

    Jan 2026 update

    The situation in Gaza and the West Bank following the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, reflects the impunity that Netanyahu continues to enjoy thanks to the Trump administration and supporters in Congress. 

    • Israeli attacks have killed 450 Palestinian men, women and children in Gaza. 
    • Israel has escalated its obstruction of humanitarian aid by:
      • Refusing to open the Rafah crossing, a key point of entry for aid, as called for Trump’s 20-point plan
      • Banning 39 aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, American Friends Service Committee, and Oxfam
      • Demolishing the Jerusalem offices of the United Nations Refugee & Works Administration (UNRWA), in violation of international law and a UN mandate.

    Instead of speaking out to oppose the banning of humanitarian aid organizations in Gaza, on January 14, 2026, Panetta voted to ban US funding for UNRWA in Palestine. The United Nations set up this agency in 1949 to help Palestinian refugees. With 30,000 employees UNRWA is the most effective aid agency in Gaza and the West Bank. The same vote authorized $3.8 billion in unconditional military aid to Israel.

  • UN Agency Essential to Gaza Recovery

    UN Agency Essential to Gaza Recovery

    The United Nations News reports that Israel has denied over 100 requests from NGO’s to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. In a letter of August 18, 2025, Central Coast Advocates asked Rep. Jimmy Panetta “to pressure Israel to ensure the immediate and unfettered access of the United Nations aid agencies to bring food to the starving people in Gaza.” Panetta has not agreed to this request.

    In an article in the Guardian, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini says, “The UN, including UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency], has the expertise and the resources to address critical humanitarian needs effectively and at scale. But we must be allowed to work freely and independently, without arbitrary and unreasonable restrictions on the entry and movement of supplies and personnel.”

    In a meeting with Panetta on October 10th we requested that he co-sponsor legislation to restore US funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Panetta said he would consider this request, but in the month since he has not responded.