The Quakers don’t fit the stereotypical image of high-powered lobbyists. But these peacemakers, led by Kate Gould, just claimed victory in the most hard-fought battle in Washington, after enough Senate Democrats pledged to uphold the Iran nuclear agreement negotiated by President Barack Obama.
FCNL’s Jacob Chappell writes: “President Obama’s visit to Hiroshima provided a searing reminder of the terrible costs of war and particularly of nuclear weapons. My hope is that it refocuses our nation’s attention on the urgency of securing stockpiles of unsecured uranium bomb-grade nuclear materials that could fall into the hands of violent extremists and putting an end to dangerous proposals that could start a new Cold War.”
FCNL’s Kate Gould and Rep. Keith Ellison write: “This week, we celebrate a quiet anniversary – one that’s probably far from most people’s minds. It’s the anniversary of an agreement that’s been a quiet success. A deal that keeps a nuclear weapon out of Iran’s hands, and makes the world a safer place.”
How can Quaker work spaces reflect our values and priorities? How is the environment we create a part of our effort to look for the Light in all those we encounter? FCNL considered as we planned to rebuild our Quaker home in the heart of Washington, D.C., in the 1990s.
FCNL’s Kate Gould writes: “The goal of a ‘safe zone’ is a laudable one: to protect civilians from attacks in a designated area. But despite its misleadingly simplistic name, establishing a ‘safe zone’ in Syria would put civilians in even greater danger and risk prolonging Syria’s bloody nightmare.”
FCNL’s Kate Gould discuss this increase in the annual taxpayer subsidy for Israel and its arms industry which makes Israel the largest recipient of U.S. aid even though it has a remarkably robust and wealthy economy.
Yasmine Taeb acknowledged the “tough political climate,” noting “the rise in anti-Muslim and anti-refugee rhetoric.”
But she urged world leaders not to “turn our backs on innocent women, men, and children fleeing violence and persecution.”
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