Though Israel’s parliamentary elections concluded, it remains uncertain who will head the government. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, U.S. lawmakers must pressure the next Israeli government to allow direly needed relief to reach Palestinians in Gaza.
Though Gaza has increasingly faded from U.S. headlines, we must not forget that Palestinians there continue to face enormous suffering each day. Families are living amid the rubble with little access to the necessities needed to live lives of dignity, enduring what experts label an ongoing genocide.
While the road toward recovery is daunting, Congress can and must take steps now to save lives and get aid to those in need.
As part of our broader lobbying efforts on Israel-Palestine, FCNL’s Middle East Policy team has been bringing together a coalition of faith voices, medical experts, and rights groups to urge Congress to act to restore support for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN).
Founded in 1997, the EJHN is a cornerstone of the Palestinian health system and is uniquely well-equipped to provide treatment to those suffering without care in Gaza.
For decades, the EJHN has served as a vital lifeline allowing critically ill Palestinians, including thousands of children, to receive life-saving treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them in Gaza.
With strong bipartisan support, the U.S. has historically provided hundreds of millions of dollars to support the EJHN’s vital work. But now, this critical avenue to care has been closed off.
“More than 21,000 people in Gaza urgently need medical evacuation, yet not one patient has reached the East Jerusalem Hospital Network since October 2023,” FCNL’s Eli Greenstein explained.
“A year into the so-called ceasefire, Israeli authorities are still blocking care and evacuations,” he continued, while U.S. funding has dwindled to a fraction of pre-2023 levels.
With nearly all of Gaza’s hospitals damaged or destroyed, restoring U.S. support for the EJHN and pressuring Israel to lift its restrictions is an essential way Congress can save lives.
After enduring more than three years of unimaginable suffering, Palestinians in Gaza must not be forced to wait any longer for the care they urgently need and deserve.
Elsewhere
Movement Away from Peace and Justice
- Millions of people here at home are going hungry because they have lost food assistance. FCNL’s Lila Smith spelled out how the “One Big Beautiful Bill’s” SNAP cost-shift to the states is driving a growing hunger crisis. Congress has a chance to fix it, but they need to act before the end of the year.
- Saudi Arabia and the U.S. just signed a deal for nuclear energy. This deal is dangerous, as FCNL’s Hadley Flanagan explains. It increases the risk that Saudi Arabia will develop nuclear weapons.
- The Trump administration told Congress it is redirecting humanitarian funding for victims of war to help mitigate the energy crisis caused by its war on Iran. The U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines - Cluster Munitions Coalition strongly condemned this decision, calling on Congress to exercise oversight so those who bear the physical scars of war are not abandoned.
We’re Hiring!
FCNL is currently seeking a lead lobbyist for its Native American Advocacy portfolio. We welcome your support in helping FCNL to attract great candidates by sharing this job announcement with your networks!
What the Midterms Could Look Like
The upcoming midterm elections are an opportunity to honor the dignity and the voice of all people. Unfortunately, this year the federal government itself is threatening the peace and integrity of our voting process. FCNL’s José Moreno broke down the threat that armed federal agents could be deployed to the polls and gave a powerful call to Congress to speak up for our democracy and our values.
Processing the Election
We are holding a special Witness Wednesday Silent Reflection following the election to reflect and ground ourselves together in community, silence, and worship.
Join us on November 4 at 5 p.m. ET.
Post-Election Advocacy
We don’t know what the next Congress will look like or what the future will hold but at FCNL, we are already preparing because we need to be ready.
