Peace Not Walls - November 2023

Call for a cease-fire and de-escalation, sustained flow of humanitarian aid, respect for safe spaces for Gazan noncombatants, and the commitment of all parties to international humanitarian law

The devastating loss of life in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories since Oct. 7 has overshadowed what had already been one of the deadliest years for both peoples in recent memory. Though efforts must be intensified to halt the bloodshed and appeals made to all parties to respect international humanitarian law and firmly promote long-term diplomatic efforts, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza must be addressed immediately.

For 16 years Israel has imposed a blockade of Gaza, which it has tightened since the start of the war. U.S. officials should call upon Israel to:

1. Enact an immediate ceasefire and address the ongoing impact of the occupation.
2. Allow humanitarian aid, including water, food, shelter and fuel, to be brought into Gaza.
3. Allow Gazans to access safe spaces such as schools, hospitals, houses of worship, etc.
4. Respect those safe spaces by obeying international humanitarian law.

Israel’s violent response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, which has had large-scale indiscriminate effects, has already claimed thousands of civilian victims, primarily in Gaza, and must end.

Since Oct. 7, approximately 1.6 million Palestinians have been displaced within Gaza from the districts of North Gaza, Gaza City and Deir al-Balah. Given that Gaza is sealed, there is no path for Gazans to move out of harm’s way. Over 11,000 civilians have been killed, and an overwhelming amount of Palestinian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip has been destroyed by the Israeli military. The United States and the United Nations must ensure the protection of Palestinians in Gaza. All hostages in captivity must be released immediately.

In related developments, there have been substantial increases in settler and military violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, and in the arrest and imprisonment of Palestinians without charges, including minors.

U.S. churches have spoken about the conflict several times already and earlier this month appealed to Congress to:

  1. Publicly call for ceasefire, de-escalation and restraint by all parties.
  2. Call on all parties to abide by the laws of war, including the Geneva conventions, customary international law and international human rights law.
  3. Prioritize steps to secure immediate release of hostages and international protection for civilians.

Further offensive military assistance to Israel cannot remedy its immediate intelligence failure, and the U.S. should not provide such aid. Israel has allowed for a daily, four-hour pause in the bombing north of Gaza, but this is not the lasting cessation of violence that Palestinians need. All in the international community must redouble their diplomatic efforts to halt the current crisis and prevent a downward spiral toward a wider regional war.

Customize the following message to reflect your values and priorities. Thank you for your advocacy.
 

Recipients

  • President Joseph 'Joe' R. Biden
  • Your Senators
  • Your Representative

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Message

Call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid into Gaza, and safe spaces

Dear [Decision Maker],

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]