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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Dear colleagues,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Like many of you, we have been
<span style="color:#1D1C1D">closely monitoring the events related to Internet connectivity in Gaza. We first wrote about the Internet outage on
</span><a href="https://pulse.internetsociety.org/blog/palestine-israel-conflict-impacts-internet-access" target="_blank">10 October on our Pulse blog</a><span style="color:#1D1C1D">. As you may know,
</span>the Internet Society has a well-established <a href="https://pulse.internetsociety.org/shutdown-statement." target="_blank">
position</a> against Internet shutdowns, regardless of motivation or cause. The Internet is a critical resource, especially in the time of crisis and while we do not issue statements every time the Internet is shut off, we have a long-standing view that governments
should keep the Internet on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We are collaborating with our Pulse partners to evaluate the data and monitor the state of Internet access in the region. We make this analysis available
to our partners so they can leverage the data to amplify voices demanding the restoration of Internet connectivity. Critical Internet infrastructure plays a key role in keeping people connected during crises, providing access to crucial information and support,
and helping people stay in contact with loved ones across borders. Internet infrastructure should be protected during times of conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Please follow our Pulse blog for updates
<a href="http://pulse.internetsociety.org/" target="_blank">http://pulse.internetsociety.org</a><span style="color:#1D1C1D">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1D1C1D">These are difficult times, and, as a technical community, we should come together and support one another.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Sally<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sally Wentworth,</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> Managing Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><img border="0" width="150" height="75" style="width:1.5625in;height:.7812in" id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.png@01DA1BA6.7BD30900" alt="A picture containing text, sign
Description automatically generated"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">internetsociety.org | @internetsociety | <a href="mailto:wentworth@isoc.org"><span style="color:#0563C1">wentworth@isoc.org</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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