Join us tomorrow in calling on the White House to pursue peace over war in Gaza.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement during Holy Week calling for a comprehensive ceasefire:
“Thousands of innocent people have died in this conflict, and thousands more have been displaced and face tremendous suffering. This must stop. As the Holy Father recently said, ‘One cannot move forward in war. We must make every effort to negotiate, to negotiate, to end the war.’ To move forward, a cease fire and a permanent cessation of war and violence is absolutely necessary. To move forward, those held hostage must be released and civilians must be protected. To move forward, humanitarian aid must reach those who are in such dire need.”
Despite ongoing deaths of civilians in Gaza, including aid workers, the Biden Administration quietly signed off on more weapons transfers during Holy Week, including thousands of 2,000 lb bombs and warplanes to Israel.
Take Action: Call the White House
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 4, we will join an in-person Christian vigil outside of the White House urge the halt of weapons transfers to Israel and ask the White House to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We invite you to join us by telephoning the White House comment line at that time.
Call the White House Comment line at 202-456-1111. Hours of operation are 11am to 3pm ET. If you have trouble getting through, use this link to send an email to the White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Sample script:
Hello, my name is ___ and I am a person of faith and I am deeply disappointed in Pres. Biden’s decision last week to send additional weapons to Israel. The focus of the conflict in Gaza must shift from war and retribution to diplomacy, accountability, release of the hostages, and humanitarian relief. Catholic and other faith leaders are speaking out strongly for an end to the killing and protection of civilians in Gaza. I urge the President to halt the sale of weapons to Israel and to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages and Palestinians jailed without charges, and massive humanitarian relief to avoid famine. Thank you.
Next week, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joins the Churches for Middle East Peace 40th Anniversary Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, which brings people from around the country to meet with their lawmakers and stress the need for comprehensive peace. Sign up for the event or follow along here.
Photo of the demonstration outside the White House on March 6, 2024.