>>SUNDAY, May 19: Join Voices from the Holy Land for a panel discussion about the film, “October 7: Behind US and Israeli headlines,” 3 PM Eastern/12 PM Pacific.

>>NEW: Sign the open letter from Catholics for a ceasefire, for a halt of weapons shipments to Israel … Sign by Pentecost, May 19

>>Click here to learn more about the creative Birds of Gaza project

>>Take action: Urge Biden, Congress to restore funding for UNRWA

>>Fast for Gaza, every Thursday, sunrise until sunset, until a permanent ceasefire is called

“Pax Christi International stands with the people who brazenly demand justice, all the more if they are caught up in an asymmetric conflict in so many ways. We recommit ourselves to supporting all forms of nonviolent resistance and plead that the international community, instead of blaming, recognise and lift-up the truth of each side’s transgressions and longings. Peace may be elusive; it might hide from view, yet we hold on to a solitary truth that if truly desired it is not impossible.”

Pax Christi International statement on the situation in Jerusalem, 2021

As part of the wider Pax Christi community, Pax Christi USA advocates a just peace in the Holy Land. Many Pax Christi USA members have traveled to or lived in the Occupied Territories; several were able to participate in the Pax Christi International world assembly in Bethlehem in 2015 and a subsequent pilgrimage which included visits to holy sites on the West Bank and in Israel, and most recently, a Pax Christi International delegation in early 2023.

We are heartbroken and angry about the current violence taking place in Gaza and other areas around Israel and the Occupied Territories. As Pax Christi USA Executive Director Johnny Zokovitch wrote, we are “deeply and tragically aware of the U.S. government’s complicity in the conflict, its tacit support of the ongoing occupation by frustrating efforts to apply international law, and the unchecked military aid. As members of Pax Christi USA, we bear a special responsibility to holding the U.S. government to account, speaking out against military aid that will only lead to greater bloodshed, and demanding action on behalf of a cease-fire and the painstaking work to create a just peace rooted in equality, human rights, and dignity for all.”

Below are resources for prayer-study-action.

Prayer

Prayer for Israel and Palestine
God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:
Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all.

The Reverend Said Ailabouni, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL

Study

Organizations

statements

Analysis/essays

Webinars

Past online events

Action

>>Take action: Send Veterans for Peace’s letter to State Department offices, reminding employees that the US Is complicit in genocide

>>Take action: Tell Biden, Congress to restore funding for UNRWA

>>Tell Congress: We demand a permanent ceasefire (Adalah Justice Project)

>>Use this link to sign the #CEASEFIRENOW petition: Add your name to an open call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

>>Call the White House to urge President Biden to support an immediate ceasefire! An organized call-in day is planned for April 4 but calls to the White House (Tues-Thurs, 11 AM-3 PM Eastern) are encouraged at any time.

Call the White House (Tuesday-Thursday, 11 AM-3 PM Eastern)

 Urge President Joe Biden to do all he can to de-escalate the conflict and call for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow for more corridors of humanitarian aid to reach the people in Gaza in urgent need of food, water, shelter, medical care and electricity. 

  • Call the White House Comment Line at 202-456-1111. Hours of operation are 11am to 3pm ET, Tuesday – Thursday. 
  • Email the White House at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Suggested talking points:

  • I am a [Catholic or other denomination] voter and I am appealing to President Biden as a person of faith to support an immediate, sustained ceasefire for Gaza. 
  • I want President Biden to know that I do not agree with his recent decision to send thousands of tank shells, bombs, and other munitions to Israel, in some cases bypassing Congressional review. 
  • Sending such weapons directly contradicts the president’s calls to avoid killing civilians and could make the U.S. complicit in violations of international law.
  • Casualty figures from the United Nations as of March 29 show 32,623 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and 75,092 injured.
  • Only a ceasefire will stop the massive loss of life in Gaza, allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need, decrease the threat of regional violence, and create an atmosphere to restart negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas as well as Palestinian prisoners held by Israel without due process of law.
  • I join Pope Francis [and the U.S. Catholic bishops] in calling for an immediate cessation of all hostilities as well as the release of hostages. As a U.S. citizen, I also ask President Biden to stop providing weapons to Israel now.
  • I urge the United States to fully fund UNRWA, the UN’s agency to support Palestinian refugees. It is a critical means of support for millions of people in Gaza and the West Bank.

From CMEP: Urge Congress to support ceasefire, restraint, de-escalation

Use this action alert tool from Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) to urge your member of Congress to work for an immediate end to all violence for restraint from all parties. A protracted Israeli military offensive, including a ground invasion, could result in considerably more deaths and a broader regional war. Half of the 2.2 million people of Gaza are children, who will suffer disproportionately.

From FOSNA: Solidarity with Palestinians and Jews Sign-on statement

All are invited to endorse this statement of solidarity, which was authored by Jonathan Kuttab, Palestinian Christian theologian, human rights lawyer, FOSNA and Nonviolence International; Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine; Rabbi Cat Zavis, Beyt Tikkun: A Synagogue without Walls, civil/women’s rights lawyer, and mediator; and Rabbi Esther Azar, Arab Jewish trauma activist.

Archived resources/events

  • October 18: Day of action organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now: Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now, both Jewish-led organizations committed to justice for Palestinians, are organizing a day of action on Wednesday in Washington, DC near Capitol Hill, exact location to be determined, to urge the US government to push for a ceasefire and to stop financing Israeli militarism. If you are able to join the activities, use this link to respond.