Urge a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza

From Avaaz.org:


The newly-elected Congress has been sworn in—and has a chance to urge a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza that would end the violence, including Israel's shelling and ground attack and Hamas's rockets; end weapons smuggling, and open Gaza's border crossings to ease the humanitarian crisis.

Follow the link below, enter your information, and we'll connect your phone directly to the offices of your Senators and Representative. It's incredibly easy, and won't cost you any more than an incoming call:

http://www.avaaz.org/avaaz_gaza_congress_action

The bloodshed in Gaza is escalating. Israeli tanks, airplanes and artillery bombard suspected Hamas sites in the midst of thickly populated urban areas, and Hamas continues to fight and fire rockets deep into Israel. More than 600 lay dead in Palestine, including more than 100 children, and eleven Israelis have lost their lives.[1]

Amidst the violence, more than 250,000 Avaaz members worldwide have signed the emergency petition calling for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides.[2] The idea is winning the support of leaders in Europe, the Middle East and beyond. But Bush continues to block such a step, insisting he will only support an imposed ceasefire on Israel's terms rather than one based on negotiations with all parties. Without a fair agreement, the violence will only continue.[3]

This week, your Senators and Representative will almost certainly consider statements and resolutions related to Gaza. Most in Congress feel that they can't do anything more than offer support and sympathy to Israel and reaffirm its right to defend itself.

Congress needs to know that it can and must do more—that many Americans are horrified by the current violence, and want an immediate fair ceasefire to make sure civilians on both sides are protected. Click now to call your Senators and Representative using our easy-to-use new call-in tool to urge statements of support for a ceasefire:

http://www.avaaz.org/avaaz_gaza_congress_action

Thanks for everything you've done so far to advocate for an end to this round of violence.

With hope,

Ricken, Iain, Graziela, Ben, Alice, Pascal, Milena, Paul, Veronique, Luis, Paula, Brett -- and the rest of the Avaaz team

SOURCES:

1. Associated Press: "Israel Shells Near UN School, killing at least 30" (5 January 2009)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD95HTJE00

2. See the "Gaza: Stop the Bloodshed" petition at Avaaz.org:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_time_for_peace/22.php

3. "Gaza: outlines of an endgame", Ghassan Khatib (6 January 2009):
http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/gaza-outlines-of-an-endgame

Al-Jazeera: "Arab ministers hold UN ceasefire talks" (6 January 2009):
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/01/20091522052418539.html

Associated Press: "Diplomats seek truce as civilian toll rises" (5 January 2009): http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD95HCD4G3

International Crisis Group's Ending the War in Gaza report (5 January 2009):
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5838&l=1