We joined a peace delegation, convened by Churches for Middle East Peace, on a two-week journey through the region. Our trip included extensive visits with patriarchs and heads of churches, pastors and local Christians, Jewish and Muslim leaders, heads of state and other political officials, peace activists, and human rights leaders in Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, and Lebanon.
We traveled to Israel, the occupied territories, Jordan and Lebanon, meeting with a wide range of religious, political and civil society leaders. At each stop, we shared our calls for a cease-fire, protecting civilians and returning hostages, and we pointed to the need to address the root causes of the violence, including the military occupation and blockade of Gaza.
Our work advocating for a more just, peaceful and sustainable world will need to be continually renewed, not just this year but for many years ahead.
Before Oct. 7, calling for equality for Palestinians was considered radical. Now, demanding a ceasefire puts Israelis at risk of threats or attacks.
In a recent letter to President Joe Biden, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called the bombing of Gaza “not just a humanitarian cataclysm, but a mass atrocity” adding that the violence “is being done with bombs and equipment produced and provided by the United States and heavily subsidized by American taxpayers. Tragically, we are complicit in this carnage.” Now, he has introduced a resolution invoking Section 502B, a rarely used provision of the Foreign Assistance Act that offers Congress a potent tool to force a high-profile Senate debate about U.S. military support for possible Israeli war crimes in Gaza and pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to hasten a ceasefire.
In an era fraught with escalating global tensions, the reinvigoration of arms control is becoming more critical than ever.
There are programs to prevent conflicts, repair and stabilize disrupted communities, and demonstrate cost-effective positive change in troubled areas.
As a Quaker, I find it painful to face our history of participation in these schools. But we cannot live our faith with integrity if we do not.
The United States’ continued support of Ukraine has put the morality of cluster munitions squarely in the spotlight.
The future for Palestinians and Israelis is being erased each passing day.
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