Our hearts go out to the many thousands forced to flee Rafah and the dozens killed there on Tuesday, May 28, after Israeli missiles set fire to camps in a dedicated civilian evacuation zone.
Faith groups have been championing peace and a ceasefire for nearly eight months since the October 7 attacks. Last week, on May 21, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined over 160 peacebuilding organizations, as well as His Holiness Pope Francis himself, in a letter to the members of the G7 requesting the prioritization of peacebuilding to end the ongoing Israel/Palestine conflict.
Today, May 30, we join a Mourner’s Kaddish for Rafah in front of the White House organized by the Jewish group If Not Now. Help us amplify our message for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and a halt to shipments of offensive weapons to Israel.
Send a message to the White House and Congress using the script below. Join the Catholic sign-on letter for a ceasefire, and add your name to the letter to the G7 leaders.
Call the White House
Call the White House Comment Line at 202-456-1111. Hours of operation are 11am to 3pm ET, Tuesday - Thursday. Otherwise, send an email to the White House here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Sample Script:
Hello, my name is _______, I am from _______.
As a person of faith, I believe in the sanctity of all life. I am very concerned about the death and destruction in the escalating Israel Hamas conflict.
Only a ceasefire will stop the loss of civilian life in Gaza, allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need, many of whom are injured, sick, and starving; fend off the likelihood of increased regional violence; and create an atmosphere to resume negotiations for the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas, as well as Palestinian prisoners held without due process of law. There can be no military solution to the conflict.
I ask that you work towards an immediate ceasefire.