MPAC and J Street Issue Joint Statement On Flow of Humanitarian Aid, Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza, and the Release of All Hostages.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and J Street released the following statement today:

As leaders and organizations with differing historical narratives, political analyses, and policy prescriptions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we come together in shared conviction to say: Enough. Enough war. Enough civilian suffering. Enough starvation. Enough terror and hostage-taking. Enough rhetoric that justifies forced displacement and collective punishment.

As we join together from different faiths and backgrounds, we are united by a moral imperative to protect innocent lives. As advocates for our respective communities, and as Americans concerned about global stability and the integrity of US foreign policy, we cannot remain silent in the face of mass suffering.

We are alarmed by policies where starvation is being wielded as a weapon of war. These actions do not enhance US national or global security – they severely undermine it. Anti-American sentiment is rising dramatically around the world due to our government’s perceived complicity in violations of international humanitarian law. We jointly call for an unhindered flow of humanitarian aid through all international channels, immediate ceasefire in Gaza to end the war, and the release of all hostages. We speak with one voice, guided by our collective conscience, to demand an end to the suffering and a restoration of human dignity for all.

We called on Members of Congress and partner organizations to sign on in solidarity with our message. In response, 6 Members of Congress and 25 organizations spanning faith traditions, geographic regions, and policy areas joined us.

Members:

1. Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson [IL-1]
2. Rep. Cleo Fields [LA-6]
3. Rep. Sylvia Garcia [TX-29]
4. Rep. Andre Carson [IA-7]
5. Rep. Lloyd Doggett [TX-37]
6. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch [MA-8]

Organizations:

1. American Jewish University
2. American Muslim Community Foundation
3. California Sikh Council
4. Congregation Shir Hadash
5. Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
6. Faith in Action East Bay
7. Faith in New Jersey
8. Fuller Theological Seminary
9. Habonim Dror North America
10. Harvard Law School Program for International Law and Armed Conflict
11. Inner City Muslim Action Network (IMAN)
12. Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP)
13. Interfaith Youth Alliance
14. Muslim Alliance in North America
15. New Jewish Narrative
16. New York Jewish Agenda (NYJA)
17. NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fe (NM CAFe)
18. Partners for Progressive Israel
19. Reconstructing Judaism
20. Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom DC Metro Area Action Group
21. The Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman Foundation for Peace and Justice
22. The Sikh Coalition
23. T’ruah
24. UNRWA USA National Committee
25. Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair