Urge Immediate U.S. Efforts to End Gaza Violence, Restore Cease-fire

Send a message today calling on the White House and Congress to exercise bold leadership to immediately end the violence in Gaza and southern Israel, restore the cease-fire and lift the blockade of Gaza’s borders. It's essential that our elected officials hear from concerned American Christians that the U.S. must work with international partners to bring about an immediate cease-fire for the sake of both Israelis and Palestinians.

This letter will be sent to President Bush, your two senators, and your representative.

November 21, 2009

Subject:

I write to you today as a concerned American Christian, with an unprecedented sense of urgency and foreboding about the escalating Gaza violence.   I urge immediate U.S. action, together with international partners including Egypt, to help restore the cease-fire, end the border blockade, and establish real security at Gaza’s borders.

As a person of faith, I care deeply about the welfare of both Israelis and Palestinians and deplore the violent deaths of those caught in this conflict. I reject all justifications for the unconscionable Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza into Israel.  I similarly reject the Israeli response as disproportionate and believe that it is likely to strengthen extremists and undermine moderates in the region. While I appreciate Secretary Rice's statement of December 27 calling for an immediate cease-fire, there must now be prompt action by your Administration to help bring about an end to the violence.

It is not enough for the United States to urge “Israel to avoid civilian targets”, particularly in light of Israel’s stated intention to continue, expand, and intensify its current offensive.  If this spiraling violence continues, both peoples will suffer and the risk of a broader confrontation will increase.  There can be no military solution to this conflict.  Only a political solution will bring a durable peace to both Palestinians and Israelis.

In addition to the escalating hostilities, the continued closure of Gaza with the cutoff or delay of vital food, fuel, electricity and adequate access to medical attention for the residents of Gaza must be addressed quickly and responsibly.

I recognize that while the immediate renewal of a ceasefire in Gaza and southern Israel is essential, in the long-term only the realization of a just and lasting two-state solution can provide a safe and prosperous future for all the people of the Holy Land.

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Urge Immediate U.S. Efforts to End Gaza Violence, Restore Cease-fire

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