Since the horrific attack on civilians in Israel by Hamas on October 7 and the retaliatory bombings of Gaza by Israel, thousands of lives have been lost, and the numbers of deaths and wounded are mounting.
We grieve the unspeakable loss of life on all sides, and grow more concerned each day for the people taken captive by Hamas, the people in Gaza in desperate need of humanitarian aid, and the escalating violence in the region.
After the devastating bombing of the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City that killed hundreds of civilians on October 17, Pope Francis described the situation in Gaza as “desperate” and urged all Catholics to take “only one side” in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the side “of peace.”
The Congregation of St. Joseph joins with the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in asking President Joe Biden to do all he can to de-escalate the conflict and call for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow for more corridors of humanitarian aid to reach the people in Gaza in urgent need of food, water, shelter, medical care, and electricity.
Take Action and Call the White House:
Call 202-456-1111 (Tuesday-Thursday):
11a – 3p Eastern | 10a-2p Central | 9a-1p Mountain | 8a-12p Pacific
or email the white house here.
Suggested Call Language:
• As a Catholic, I am deeply concerned about the escalating violence and suffering in Israel and Gaza.
• I want to thank President Biden for everything he has done so far to work for the release of the hostages held by Hamas. I ask him to keep them and the innocent civilians in Gaza who are also in need of protection, at the center of his efforts.
• I ask that President Biden continue to prioritize words and actions that de-escalate the conflict. and that he stop declaring “unwavering” support for Israel while violations of international law are taking place in Gaza, including the relentless bombing, killing thousands of civilians. I also ask President Biden to push for a ceasefire now to allow for more corridors of humanitarian aid to reach the people in Gaza.
• Instead of sending more weapons of war to Israel, I urge President Biden to engage in serious diplomacy to address the root causes of the conflict: to end the Israeli occupation and colonial settlement of Gaza and the West Bank and assure the Palestinian people achieve statehood. The security of Israel is inextricably tied to justice for the Palestinian people.
• Finally, I pray for our president to meet the demands of this crisis and to work for a sustainable and just peace in the region. Thank you.
