Franciscan Action Network joins other faith organizations in urging calls to the White House to ask President Biden to immediately cease delivering bombs to Israel and to use U.S. leverage to bring about a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages and Palestinians in administrative detention, and increased humanitarian aid for starving Gazans.
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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 Biden that I am deeply disappointed in his decision last week to allow a massive shipment of offensive weapons, including a large number of 2,000 lb bombs, to go to Israel.
Such bombs have caused mass casualties in Gaza, where more than 32,000 people have been killed and more than 75,000 injured in the last six months.
Sending more bombs now contradicts the President’s own call for Israel not to bomb Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering after being driven from their homes. Now is not the time for business as usual in the U.S.-Israel military relationship.
The deadly April 1 attack on the World Central Kitchen’s Food Convoy shows that Israel continues to strike indiscriminately, heedless of the risk to civilians and the escalating threat of famine.
The focus of the conflict in Gaza must shift from war and retribution to diplomacy, accountability, and humanitarian relief in order to stop the mass slaughter, starvation, and generational trauma.
Catholic and other faith leaders are speaking out strongly for an end to the killing and protection of civilians in Gaza.
I urge the administration to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages and Palestinians jailed in administrative detention, massive humanitarian relief to avoid famine, and to halt the sale of weapons to Israel. 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.”