Nygren expected to call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza

By Marley Shebala
Special to the Times

WINDOW ROCK – During an hour-long meeting in the president’s office last Friday, a group of young Diné adults urged President Buu Nygren to support a permanent ceasefire of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
The group from the K’é Info Shop, a mutual aid organization that grew with its emergency assistance during the Covid pandemic in the Navajo Nation, also urged Nygren to shut down the Raytheon Diné Facility near Farmington, New Mexico.

The K’é Info Shop representatives implored Nygren to “uphold the non-violent call by Palestinians to boycott, divest and sanction companies that contribute to Israeli occupation and the genocide of Indigenous Palestinians.

“The most meaningful way to fulfill this pledge is to implement a plan to close the Navajo-owned Raytheon facility, end all deals with weapons manufacturers, and work with Navajo community leaders to create a plan for a just transition for Navajo workers who will lose employment when the facility closes.”

On Nov. 4, via a press release issued from Nygren’s office, the president came out to support the weapons manufacturer after presenting him with a plaque to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

“For the last 34 years, RDF, as it’s known to the local communities, has been quietly making defense components that have kept the Navajo Nation and the U.S. safe,” the release read in part.

On that same day, Radmilla Cody, co-founder of the K’é Info Shop and a former Miss Navajo Nation, stated in a Facebook post, “A couple of months ago, I was asked by Raytheon Technologies to be a part of their Native Heritage Month Speaker Series. I declined because I don’t support genocide. The following was my response: It was good speaking with you. Ahe’hee’ for considering me to be a part of the Native Heritage Month Speaker Series. After (researching Raytheon Technologies), I will need to decline the invitation. The work that Raytheon Technologies stands for goes against my ethics, beliefs, and values in standing in solidarity with our Palestinian relatives.”

Statement in two weeks

At the time, Nygren assured the group that he would issue a statement in two weeks, which would allow him time to consult with the executive office attorney, Bidtah Becker, and the Navajo Nation Department of Justice and then meet with the K’é Info Shop representatives on crafting a proclamation.

He also thanked the group for meeting with him and advocating and fighting for what they believe in. “That’s the way to be,” Nygren said. “Because you got to fight, advocate, and voice what you believe in.”
Nygren said that he read in the news that the United Nations, as well as several countries, are supporting Palestine and a permanent ceasefire.

“So, I think it’s time for us to do it,” Nygren told the K’é Info Shop representatives. “So that’s my commitment to you guys. All I ask of you guys is if I get heat, back me up. And I think that just making strong, bold statements is exciting. So that’s my commitment to you guys. I’ll definitely make a statement on your behalf, and we’ll work on it.”

Shut down Diné Raytheon

Nygren added that their recommendation to him to shut down the Diné Raytheon facility is a “big one” because it’s a facility that helps the United States “sleep good at night. But their plan to find replacement jobs for the Raytheon workers is an exciting alternative.”

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders called for U.S. support of a U.N. Security Council resolution to end the bloodshed by demanding an “urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and for urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” as well the unconditional release of all hostages.

“As of today, nearly 20,000 people have been killed – 70 percent of whom are women and children – and more than 52,000 wounded since October 7,” Sanders said. “More are likely trapped under the rubble. One-hundred and thirty-five U.N. (United Nations) workers have been killed, as well as dozens of other aid workers.”

Sanders emphasized, “Mr. President, unbelievably, nearly 1.9 million people, more than 85 percent of the population, have been driven from their homes across Gaza. Despite sharing their locations with Israeli forces, more than 100 U.M. facilities have been hit in the bombardment. The U.N. reports that over 60 percent of the housing units in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.”

Tax dollars for war crimes

The K’é Info Shop representatives informed Nygren, “Every year, Western governments like the U.S., Canada, and Britain write blank checks to fund Israel’s crimes against Palestinian people. The weapons being used to perpetrate war crimes against Palestinians are manufactured using billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars. The Raytheon Diné facility is complicit in the manufacturing of weapons used to murder Palestinians. Additionally, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution criminalizing phrases like ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Free and ‘Gaza Will Win,’ claiming they, and all critiques of Zionism, are antisemitic.

“These are phrases of Palestinian self-determination and decolonization; they are no different from our chants for the same,” the K’é Info Shop group explained. “At this rate, even calls for ‘Land Back,’ ‘Water is Life,’ and ‘Decolonization’ will be called antisemitic and genocidal.

“Additionally, the Navajo Nation must condemn legislative and lobbying efforts to silence and repress free speech and political activity and pledge to ensure Navajo citizens will not be subjected to this kind of repression for their views on Palestine by the Navajo Nation or any other entity.”

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