Resources for peace in Gaza

Earlier this week, I wrote in my blog about how the American bishops have called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Today, by way of Pax Christi USA, I offer the following resources for prayer, study and action to stop the violence in Gaza. They include:

    - Pax Christi USA official statement on the violence in the Middle East;
    - A catalog of resources from across the Pax Christi International network;
    - Middle East Notes on Israel-Palestine from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns;
    - Third Thursday for Israel-Palestine actions from the Faith Forum on Middle East Policy;
    - A Prayer for Peace and an End to Violence, by Jim Hug, S.J;.
    - A Muslim-Jewish-Christian Prayer for Peace Prayer Card;
    - The Holy Land Principles – A powerful tool for justice and peace, by Tony Magliano;
    - Other articles, resources on Israel-Palestine.

Bishops call for ceasefire

America’s bishops have reiterated Pope Francis’ call for a ceasefire and peace between Israel and Hamas.

In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, said that the United States should seek an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, provide humanitarian relief to the vulnerable people of Gaza, and return to the challenge of pursuing a just and lasting peace.

Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, wrote, “Israelis should not have to live in fear of Hamas’ indiscriminate rocket attacks on civilian areas. At the same time, Palestinians should not have to live in fear for their lives from air and ground attacks or to suffer the humiliations of occupation.”

He noted that Catholic Relief Services has had to suspend it relief efforts in Gaza because of the fighting.

The full text of the letter is here

More information on the U.S. bishops’ advocacy on Israeli-Palestinian peace is available here..