NH Council of Churches calls for ceasefire in Gaza

To the editor:

The Board of Directors of the NH Council of Churches calls upon our Members of Congress to support an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, and to insist that humanitarian assistance be delivered at once to the people of Gaza. Our profound grief at the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives and the ongoing hostage crisis leaves us no choice but to call for a complete end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza that has killed over 13,000 people to date, more than a third of whom are children, and the immediate release of hostages and prisoners.

Our belief in the worth and dignity of all people and the moral imperative of peace with justice compel us to demand that the United States government utilize its considerable leverage in the region to act for peace and an immediate end to the slaughter of innocent people, and to withhold funding for the collective punishment that is currently being inflicted with US tax dollars.

With this call, we join faith leaders throughout the world, including the 30 Christian denominational leaders who wrote on November 13 that "Peace with justice is the only lasting solution that will protect the long-term security and sustainability of the State of Israel and the self-determination and independence of Palestinians. The United States must demonstrate its commitment to the protection of all human life, advocating for a just and durable resolution to this crisis in which all Israelis and Palestinians might realize a vision of a just peace, illuminating human dignity, advancing security and self-determination for all."

We ask you to pray with us for peace in the region, for peace in the world, and for justice to take root in our hearts, our communities and our world.

- The Board of Directors

for the New Hampshire Council of Churches