As US-made and US-financed Israeli warplanes continue to bomb areas of the occupied Gaza Strip today, Palestine solidarity activists in Chicago have launched a campaign targeting Illinois senator Mark Kirk and his “extreme” support of Israeli government policies.

Kirk has labeled himself as a “moderate,” but has been an ardent and outspoken supporter of Israel’s assaults in Gaza in the Winter of 2008-09 which killed approximately 1,400 Palestinians, including more than 300 children. Kirk has also consistently voted in support of US taxpayer aid to the Israeli government and its military, and pro-Israel lobby groups have staunchly backed and contributed to Kirk’s campaigns.

The Committee for a Just Peace in Israel-Palestine (CJPIP) stated in a press release sent to The Electronic Intifada yesterday that “Senator Kirk is a target of the protest because [he] has distinguished himself from other members of Congress by the stridency of his rhetoric and willingness to involve the American military in the defense of Israel’s illegal and immoral blockade of Gaza.”

Today, the activists are convening at Daley Plaza in Chicago to “draw public attention to Senator Kirk’s statements and positions, which consistently undermine a peaceful, just, and sustainable solution to the Middle East conflict. The group’s message will highlight the destructive role of military aid: ‘Hey Senator Kirk — US military aid to Israel is bad for Americans, bad for Palestinians, and bad for Israelis.’”

CJPIP has produced a video (featured above) and plan to continue the direct actions throughout this month. The group has also purchased advertising space on public subways with placards urging the end of US military support to Israel.

More information on the campaign to make Mark Kirk accountable can be found here: www.twopeoplesonefuture.org/kirk/