Tell the U.S. Congress to
work for peace in the Middle East

The catastrophic war in Gaza is overwhelming and we need your help to advocate for an immediate and sustained ceasefire, a release of all hostages and prisoners detained without due process, increased humanitarian assistance, a cessation of U.S. delivery of destructive weapons to Israel, a political process to ensure accountability, and an end to the occupation.

In Fratelli Tutti, Francis invites us beyond "theoretical discussions" to "touch the wounded flesh of victims."

Let us look at all those civilians whose killing was considered "collateral damage." Let us ask the victims themselves. Let us think of the refugees and displaced…the mothers who lost their children, and the boys and girls maimed or deprived of their childhood. Let us hear the true stories…look at reality through their eyes…In this way, we will be able to grasp the abyss of evil at the heart of war. Nor will it trouble us to be deemed naive for choosing peace (261).

In late March, the U.S. Catholic Bishops and Franciscan leaders also called for an immediate ceasefire.

There have been more than 32,000 Palestinians killed, with about 70% being women and children, as well as over 80% of people in Gaza being displaced. Food, water, and electricity have been cut off, and starvation as well as disease are growing to an alarming degree while hospitals come under attack. Violence in the West Bank is also escalating sharply.

Hamas has committed horrific violence and in retaliating the Israeli army has also committed horrific violence. There is a deep need for accountability for these harms. Retribution and collective punishment are not accountability and do not lead to justice but rather increase the trauma for all parties. No one wins with these war dynamics. Thank you for taking action to promote a ceasefire and end the war in the Holy Land. 

The policies of the United States and the messages sent by President Biden as well as the U.S. Congress can have an important effect on the trajectory of this war. 

Using the form here, please contact your Senators and Representative and urge them to speak publicly and to the U.S. President about pressing for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. Ask them to vote against sending more destructive weapons to Israel, which will only signal a lack of accountability and prolong the mass slaughter, and to support humanitarian assistance for Gaza as well as policies that will lead to the release of all hostages. Please feel free to edit the wording to personalize the letter. Then click the "Take Action" button at the bottom.