“When will our government stop funding this madness?” asked U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. “When?” Israel continues to perpetrate horrific war crimes. For one grizzly example: the IDF airstrike this week on the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital, sending an inferno of flames through a tent encampment of displaced Palestinian families, incinerating some of them. Meanwhile, the Biden Administration, still unrelenting and unapologetic, continues to supply Israel with weapons, offensive in every aspect of that word.

The “when” of Rep. Tlaib’s question demands, from all people of faith and conscience, a fierce and insistent outcry, “Now,” and persistent activism to that end. Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), with Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR) and Sen. Peter Welch (VT) as co-sponsors, is leading the way, legislatively. He has introduced, into the Senate, Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JDR), calling for a suspension of offensive military weapons to Israel. The resolutions, six in number ( S.J.Res. 111, S.J.Res. 112, S.J.Res. 113, S.J.Res. 114, S.J.Res 115, S.J.Res. 116), identify the specific offensive, and offending, weapons. To read more about the JRD and how the U.S. government’s sale and Israel’s use of these weapons violate U.S. laws, such as the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Acts, consult this fact sheet.

In a show of strong support for these Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, the United Church of Christ, Global Ministries, and UCC PIN, along with more than 80 other organizations, have signed on to a letter addressed to all U.S. Senators urging them to co-sponsor the JRD. But Senators need to hear from their constituents as well. Let them know you too disapprove of the U.S. government’s complicity in arming Israel’s genocide. Urge them to become co-sponsors of these Joint Resolutions of Disapproval.

Take action by sending them an email through (1) this week’s Global Ministries’ 3^rd Thursday Middle East Action Alert here; (2) the Friends Committee on National Legislation here. Or telephone your senators' D.C. offices and deliver your message through their staff. You can find D.C. phone numbers here.

Here is a section of the UCCPIN October 2024 E-Newsletter. To read the entire newsletter, follow this link: UCC PIN October 2024 E-News.