As families across the United States celebrate around tables of holiday treats this week, a very different scene is playing out in the Middle East:
People in Gaza are slowly starving as relentless Israeli military bombings — including with U.S.-made weapons — destroy hospitals, homes filled with families, and schools sheltering displaced people.[1] In Lebanon, the IDF is preventing tens of thousands of people from returning home despite the ceasefire. If the crucial truce fails, the southern part of the country may become a second Gaza.
In the past few days we’ve also seen the U.S. military strike Houthi targets in Yemen and a Houthi missile in Tel Aviv, surefire signs that things show no sign of slowing and in fact, could easily spiral once more. Meanwhile, dozens of hostages languish.
Right now, the U.S. government is directly culpable for helping drive untold levels of human suffering and violence across the Middle East — and it means our work is more urgent than ever.
That’s why the Win Without War team is doubling down on every single strategy we’ve got to stop the devastating violence: Around-the-clock advocacy to demand our government secure lasting ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza that bring the hostages home, mobilizing thousands to ensure our elected officials feel nonstop public pressure to act, and building powerful coalitions that are ready to block any attempts — by any White House — that could extend or expand this horrific war.
An effort like this will require a HUGE lift for our small team of 11 — even longer hours, early morning meetings with partners, and late-night calls to Congress — but we’re as committed as ever. As we race to step up, now and in the new year, we hope you’ll donate $27, or any amount, now and fuel our vital efforts to stop the heartbreaking violence.
According to the UN, more than 1.8 million people in Gaza are experiencing “extremely critical” levels of hunger. Aid deliveries in the north, which is under near-constant bombardment from the Israeli military, are all but impossible.
But here’s why we have hope: Last November, for one crucial week, the bombings of Gaza stopped.
Last year’s ceasefire saved countless lives, 110 hostages were reunited with their families, and hundreds of trucks delivered aid into Gaza. For seven crucial days, the people of Gaza, and people across the region, had a break from terrifying violence — but since it expired, the bombings have only increased. As the conflict spreads across multiple borders, the level of suffering becomes incalculable.
What’s even scarier is that it could soon get even worse. Trump recently told Prime Minister Netanyahu to “do what you have to do”. Frank, that’s a code for more violence and more senseless death.
That’s why our team is furiously pushing the Biden administration to pull the Israeli government back from its devastating war and focus on bringing the hostages home; all while racing against the clock, alongside partners across the region, to prepare for the worst that a Trump administration might bring.
It looks like building powerful coalitions in the new Congress that can block any Trump administration attempts to extend or expand this horrific war. It’ll mean continuing to deepen our advocacy and employ the kind of creative tactics that will ensure no one can ignore the devastating violence that has swept across an entire region and left tens of thousands dead, and we can’t do it alone.
People in Israel, Palestine, and around the world deserve a lasting, sustainable, peace.
That’s why our work won’t stop until the U.S. government uses ALL its influence to save lives — until every hostage comes home, until the Israeli government’s brutal bombing in Gaza ends, and until we’ve found our way to a pathway to peace in Israel and Palestine.
Thank you for working for peace,
The Win Without War team
1. Common Dreams, “UN Says Food Availability Has Hit 'All-Time Low' in Gaza as Forced Famine Takes Hold”
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