Franciscan Action Network joins other faith organizations in urging calls to the White House to ask President Trump to use U.S. leverage to ensure the comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, but also an end to violence in the West Bank, and an end to the occupation so a just peace can be realized.
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Sample Script/Talking Points:
“Hello, my name is ___ and I am a person of faith affiliated with Franciscan Action Network.
Please tell President Trump that I am grateful for his efforts to create an agreement for a ceasefire. I urge the administration to use U.S. leverage to ensure the comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, but also an end to violence in the West Bank, and an end to the occupation so a just peace can be realized. Thank you.”
Background:
Recent developments:
- On Good Friday, news broke that the Biden administration had authorized another large transfer of offensive weapons to Israel, including many 2,000 lb bombs, which have caused mass casualties in the war so far.
- On April 1, Israeli forces struck a World Central Kitchen convoy, killing 7 humanitarian workers delivering food.
- Casualty figures from the United Nations as of March 29 show 32,623 Palestinians in Gaza killed, 75,092 injured, 1,200 Israelis killed in Israel and 252 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza, 1,523 Israeli soldiers injured, 134 Israeli hostages in Gaza, and dire humanitarian conditions, with famine projected to spread throughout Gaza by May 2024.
- For more on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, including that of Palestinian Christians, please see this Easter sermon and interview with Lutheran Minister Munther Isaac.
At the same time, calls for a ceasefire from many quarters are increasing:
- On March 25, the United States allowed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza to pass (by abstaining from the vote).
Catholic leaders have been speaking out for peace:
- Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the US Council of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement on March 23 calling for a ceasefire, protection of civilians, and release of hostages.
- Provincial Minister Br. Lawrence Hayes, OFM, joined more than 140 global Christian leaders in a call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to halt the sale of weapons to Israel.
- The Society of Jesus issued a statement on March 28, saying it was “unacceptable that no-one has been able to stop the killing.”