On Wednesday, Congress convened a special joint session to hear from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu sought to rally even greater U.S. military support for a war that continues to inflict unprecedented suffering on the people of Gaza.
This week, we worked to make sure that our lawmakers also heard an outpouring of voices for peace.
As we call on Congress to reject Netanyahu’s defiant and disastrous message, here are some of the powerful voices we are urging lawmakers to listen to instead:
Families of Israeli hostages: Many lawmakers took time this week to hear from family members of Israeli hostages who traveled to Washington, D.C. to call for a ceasefire.
As one father of an Israeli hostage told Congress, “I implore Democrats and Republicans to do all that you can to let [Netanyahu] know … the time is now to sign this deal, get the hostages home, and stop this killing.”
Israeli and American veterans: On Tuesday, FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab joined Common Defense and Breaking the Silence for a press briefing uplifting a petition signed by more 5,000 Israeli and American veterans and military family members calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Palestinian children: In his remarks at the press briefing, FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab shared powerful messages from Palestinian children at the Ramallah Friends School during his visit to the region earlier this year.
National security experts: At a recent briefing we cohosted for Congressional staff, two former U.S. officials who resigned over the administration’s Gaza policy explained how the war is damaging American credibility and security. At the same time, it is putting U.S. service members in the region in peril.
Faith voices: Ahead of the address, FCNL hosted a vigil organized by Churches for Middle East Peace to pray for peace and a ceasefire.
Elsewhere
Registration Opens for Annual Meeting & Quaker Public Policy Institute 2024!
Advocacy That Never Gives Up. That is the theme for our 2024 Annual Meeting and Quaker Public Policy Institute. It speaks to the persistence of our powerful community. Registration is now open.
Vote Our Future Tour Launches
Our partners at Network Lobby launched the Nuns on the Bus and Friends tour this week with a kick-off event at the Capitol. We are proud to be part of this campaign to inspire multi-issue, multi-faith voter engagement. FCNL’s Amelia Kegan, who will join the tour in October, spoke about the historic moment we face and the opportunities to end poverty and strengthen democracy.
Senate Movement for Truth and Healing from Indian Boarding School Era
On Wednesday, a bipartisan coalition of senators urged their colleagues to pass The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (S.1723). Senators Elizabeth Warren (MA), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Ed Markey (MA), and Brian Schatz (HI) all spoke passionately urging action. Right now, the legislation has been released from committee and filed as an amendment to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA, S. 4638), giving two potential pathways for Senate passage.
Upcoming Events at Friends Place
- Students have been coming together in new ways to advocate for peace and freedom in Palestine. Join us at Friends Place on Capitol Hill or online via Zoom on Wednesday, July 31 at 6:30 p.m. ET for “Students Uniting Then & Now” to discuss student activism.
- Are you a student asking deep questions about who you are and how to live and work in alignment with your values? Attend this workshop in the afternoons of August 13 and 14 for an to explore those questions in community with peers.
