"Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people" - Dr. M. L. King, Jr.


 

 

January 25, 2009

 

Michigan People of Faith Speak Out for the Suffering People of Gaza

On January 22, 2009,  President Obama stated: Our hearts go out to Palestinian civilians who are in need of immediate food, clean water, and basic medical care, and who've faced suffocating poverty for far too long. Now we must extend a hand of opportunity to those who seek peace. As part of a lasting cease-fire, Gaza's border crossings should be open to allow the flow of aid and commerce.

 We share President Obama’s concern for our brothers and sisters  in Gaza, thousands of whom have lost family members and who are currently trapped in an desperate situation without adequate food, water, shelter, fuel or  medical supplies. We ask that all people of faith join efforts to publicize and bring an end to the suffering in Gaza, by calling for a comprehensive, internationally-guaranteed cease-fire, and an end to the blockade of Gaza. Here are the steps that concerned individuals and groups should take now to help Gaza:

            1. STAY INFORMED VIA RECOGNIZED INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCES (see list of news sources below)

2. CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

3. TAKE A PUBLIC STAND   

4. JOIN COMMUNITY PROTESTS

5. WRITE TO YOUR NEWSPAPERS

            6. SEND FUNDS TO RECOGNIZED HUMANITARIAN AID ORGANIZATIONS

7. SIGN PETITIONS THAT CALL FOR IMMEDIATE AID TO GAZA  

We, the undersigned pledge, as a first step, to stay informed daily about the situation in Gaza, and to seek out independent news sources with direct knowledge of events in the region; to work for the alleviation of suffering in Gaza, a just peace in the region, and an end to violence. (see list of news sources below)

We call upon our representatives  in Congress to sign on to Rep. John W. Oliver’s letter (see below) to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging  her to support immediate humanitarian assistance for Gaza.  We ask the U.S. media to provide more detailed information to the American public of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis and continued deterioration of infrastructure and basic services in Gaza.

We urge President Obama to reform U.S. policy toward the Palestinians so that diplomacy can succeed: lift the blockade on Gaza, authorize U.S. diplomats to talk to Hamas officials, end Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and insist that US weapons supplied to Israel be only used for self-defense, as required by US law.

We know that Israel 's war on Gaza would not be possible without the jets, helicopters, ships, missiles, and fuel provided by the United States and that American taxpayers bear a moral responsibility for the resulting devastation. The situation in Gaza is a dire emergency and requires immediate action. Our faith demands that we do not turn away from this human-made disaster that now threatens the existence of the people of Gaza and diminishes all of us.

 Sincerely.

Pax Christi Michigan

 

John W. Oliver’s Letter to his Congressional Colleagues:

Dear Colleague,

With the rest of the world, we gladly welcomed the news of a ceasefire in Gaza on January 18.  However, there remains a dire humanitarian situation that must be immediately addressed.  We believe that it is in the United States’ interest to play a leading role in alleviating the human suffering in Gaza.   

The armed conflict in Gaza resulted in widespread destruction to homes and to public and commercial infrastructure across Gaza.  Fuel shortages have cut electricity, limiting the ability of Gaza’s hospitals to operate.  Medical supplies are in short supply and hospitals are understaffed.  The humanitarian supplies and food that do reach civilians only meet a small percentage of the real need.  The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) estimates financial needs of nearly $350 million just to rebuild their own infrastructure and continue providing essential public services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

Please join us in writing to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to request that the United States lead the international effort to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza.  The United States has long been a leader on humanitarian issues and we should seize this opportunity to alleviate the suffering of civilians and restore our historic moral standing among the community of nations.

Sincerely,

LOIS CAPPS  Member of Congress             DAVID PRICE  Member of Congress                        

JOHN W. OLVER  Member of Congress      KEITH ELLISON  Member of Congress                        

SAM FARR Member of Congress                  MAURICE HINCHEY  Member of Congress                         

BARBARA LEE  Member of Congress

 

News Sources About Gaza:

 

 

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Last modified: 04/10/11