Washington, D.C. - The crisis in Gaza and the pending full invasion of Rafah demands consistent public action and powerful witness. In addition to the 31,000 killed in the war and people being killed while seeking aid, Palestinians are now dying from starvation; and Sen. Schumer is calling for new elections in Israel. As part of a Lenten Ceasefire Campaign, on Thursday, March 21, 1-2 pm, Christians for Ceasefire will hold a prayer vigil with national faith leaders, including three Palestinian Christian voices, on Capitol Hill (100 Maryland Avenue NE), followed by a nonviolent witness action. For Christians, nonviolent witness includes calling for a just peace, especially as our Muslim family members enter their holy month of Ramadan. Confirmed speakers: Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary, American Friends Service Committee
Mubarak Awad, Nonviolence International
Rev. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace
Rev. Leslie Copeland-Tune, Chief Operating Officer, National Council of Churches
Jonathan Kuttab, Executive Director, Friends of Sabeel North America
Scott Wright, Stones Cry Out faith delegation to Palestine, Pax Christi USA Christians for Ceasefire (a group of national organizations and peacemakers) continues to raise faith voices together, asking our Creator for guidance and strength as we urge those in power to do the courageous work of nonviolent peacemaking. We believe that the focus of the conflict must shift to diplomacy, accountability mechanisms, and urgent humanitarian relief, and that neither war nor retribution is accountability. We call for the urgent action needed to stop the mass slaughter, destruction, and generational trauma. We urge all parties to: a) Publicly call for bilateral ceasefire to prevent the further loss of life
b) Support demilitarization rather than supplying additional military aid or arms to Israel
c) Focus on a release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners held without due process
d) Support robust humanitarian assistance and restarting U.S. government funding to UNRWA, the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees
e) Work diplomatically to end the siege on Gaza and end the occupation of the Palestinian Territory in order to address the root causes of the violence, accountability for harm, and move all parties toward a lasting, just peace that protects all human life and ensures long-term security and sustainability in the Middle East Endorsing organizations include Christians for a Free Palestine; Churches for Middle East Peace; Church of the Brethren, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy; Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces; Dorothy Day Catholic Worker; Festival Center; Franciscan Action Network; Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA); Georgetown University Medical Students for Palestine, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd; National Council of Churches, USA; Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace; Pax Christi USA; Quixote Center; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team; Sojourners; United Church of Christ; The United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society; US Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph; and the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER). |
