[Dialogue] Fwd: Help end the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas

[elliestock at aol.com]

Subject: Help end the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas











Help end the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas

Urge Members of Congress to support prompt U.S. diplomatic action to help achieve an immediate cease-fire and address the Gaza humanitarian situation

ACTION:  Immediately contact your Senators and Representative, asking them to make statements expressing support for the following U.S. efforts on behalf of peace with justice for Palestinians and Israelis: 


Prompt U.S. diplomatic action to help achieve an immediate cease-fire that ends the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas.  

Support for urgent measures to address the Gaza humanitarian situation, including an opening of the border crossings that provides relief for the people of Gaza and meets Israel’s security needs.  

Renewal of a meaningful Israeli-Palestinian political process that can provide a durable peace.  


Take action now >>

BACKGROUND
The new year has begun with an escalating crisis in Gaza and southern Israel resulting in a tragic loss of life and that demonstrates the urgent need for robust U.S. diplomatic engagement in the Israeli-Palestinian arena. 

Current hostilities have created an alarming humanitarian situation in Gaza, coming on the heels of prolonged restrictions on Gaza that have led to shortages of fuel, electricity, water and medical supplies.  Health services are overwhelmed, a food crisis looms and severe damage has occurred to the civilian infrastructure wi
th many areas now without water, electricity or sanitation. 

To end the current crisis and promote long-term peace and stability, urgent efforts must be pursued to achieve an immediate cease-fire that ends the violence, addresses the humanitarian situation including an opening of the border crossings that provides relief for the people of Gaza and meets Israel’s security needs and leads to concrete steps toward a two-state peace agreement. 

Further spiraling violence will increase the toll of human suffering, strengthen extremists in Gaza and undermine Palestinian moderates as well as moderate voices throughout the region. It also risks broader Middle East destabilization and confrontation. 

There is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Only a political resolution can provide a secure, stable and prosperous future for all the people of the Holy Land.  The cease-fire must be accompanied by a political process that establishes a viable Palestinian state living in peace alongside a secure Israel.  

FAITH REFLECTION
Jerusalem Church Leaders and Patriarchs, in a Dec. 30 statement, said that the continuation of the violence will "breed more hatred and hostility - and thus continued confrontation between the two peoples." The Middle East Council of Churches has urged "the international community . . . to take a decision to cease the fire and the Bloodshed…"  

On December 28, Pope Benedict XVI said the international community must help Israelis and Palestinians find a way out of=2
0this "dead end" of conflict and violence and instead pursue the path of "dialogue and negotiation."  He renewed this call yesterday, stressing the “profound desire to live in peace in the hearts of the great majority of the Israeli and Palestinian populations, which is once again endangered by the intense violence." 


Take action now >>


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