Israel/Palestine

The 2024 election is officially underway, with millions casting votes this week ahead of Election Day next Tuesday.

With so much at stake, many are feeling anxious, concerned, and overwhelmed. You’re not alone.

We are gravely concerned over the threat of political violence. The threats of white Christian nationalism and authoritarianism. The threats against immigrants and many other marginalized communities.

Urge your senators to vote to block the sale of offensive weapons to Israel!

Since taking office, the Trump Administration has approved a series of arms sales to Israel totaling more than $12 billion. Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) and Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) would block the sale of many offensive weapons that have been used in strikes that have killed thousands of civilians, including aid workers and journalists in Gaza.

The Middle East conflict is escalating quickly and the United States needs to use the leverage we have to bring peace. We must win a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon while ensuring a broader regional war does not break out between Iran and Israel.

In a historic speech today, President Joe Biden offered a formal apology to Native communities for the U.S. government’s Indian Boarding Schools policies.

The apology marked the first time a president has acknowledged the injustice of the assimilation the U.S. government tried to impose through Indian boarding schools. It resulted in widespread, horrific abuses that Native children endured, and the inter-generational harm that continues today.

“Nonviolence can affect more than the heart and change people from the worst versions of themselves to a better one. I have seen people change.”  

Those were the inspiring words of Amira Musallam, who spoke with us together with Mel Duncan this past Thursday in Voices from the West Bank: Stories of Resistance and Protection. Amira is a Palestinian Christian peace advocate, while Mel is the co-founder of Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), a world leader in unarmed civilian protection.  

Since taking office, the Trump Administration has approved a series of arms sales to Israel totaling more than $12 billion. Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) and Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) would block the sale of many offensive weapons that have been used in strikes that have killed thousands of civilians, including aid workers and journalists in Gaza.

FCNL co-led a sign-on letter with CIVIC, joined by over 100 other organizations to Senators urging them to “cosponsor and vote in favor of the four joint resolutions of disapproval introduced by Senators Sanders, Welch, and Merkley regarding several specific major arms sales to the government of Israel.”

Members and attenders of the Boulder Colorado Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) deeply mourn the loss of all lives, homes, and communities of people who are victims of the current wars in the Middle East.

This week, FCNL’s Amelia Kegan joined “Nuns on the Bus and Friends” bus tour to mobilize people around the nation to vote for our future and support an inclusive democracy.

The nonpartisan voter education tour was organized by NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice. “We need everyone, building community, to help build this vision of the country where every person is free to fulfill their potential and truly flourish,” Amelia said.