Rapid Response: Tell Bush to Lead Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon in the way of peace

 President Bush: You can help restore peace to Gaza, Lebanon. Recent outbreaks of violence between Israel and Gaza and now Lebanon have compelled people of every faith to urge the U.S. to take the lead in restoring peace. While the G8 recently issued a statement calling for restraint and an end to the violence, we know that true peace is achieved only through understanding and a shared commitment to peace. The White House has historically played a pivotal role in negotiating peace between Israel and its neighbors through both political and moral leadership.  Statements alone are not enough.   Religious leaders are crying out for peace. The National Council of Churches (FaithfulAmerica's sponsoring organization) has issued a statement calling for a return to the pursuit of understanding through peaceful means and for the U.S. to lead the way in making it happen. We invite you to read it, and then take action. Please use this page to write a letter to President Bush urging him to step up immediately and help to quell the violence and restore peace between Israel and Gaza and Israel and Lebanon. Next,we invite you to join us as we pray for those whose lives are affected by this violence and for the restoration of peace in their lands. Submit a prayer to FaithfulAmerica's prayer room, and take time to read the prayers of your brothers and sisters around the earth who have shared their heartfelt prayers with you. Finally, remember that no act of peacemaking is ever lost on the world. Whether through prayer, a letter, the lighting of a candle, the speaking of a kind word to another, affirm that you do not have to be a world leader to usher in peace. In fact, the peacemakers of the world are rarely persons of power. It was a carpenter who, on a hillside not far from where bombs are exploding at this moment, taught his listeners to overcome evil with good. How grateful we are to be able to be part of your peacemaking. Blessings to you, Vince Isner and the FaithfulAmerica.org Team  Send a letter to the following decision maker(s): President George W. Bush Below is the sample letter:Subject: Mr President, use your power for peace in Israel, Lebanon, and GazaDear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],I write to you as a person of faith to appeal for urgent active, determined and visible U.S. leadership (in coordination with the European Economic Union, Russia and the United Nations) to help resolve the current crisis between the Palestinians, Israel and Lebanon, and to work for a comprehensive ceasefire. The recent G8 statement is a start, but the record clearly shows that real progress toward peace is possible only with active, fair and firm U.S. involvement. Secretary Rice's successful leadership last November in negotiating the Gaza Access Agreement is clear evidence of the positive role U.S. leadership can play.Continued conflict between Israelis and Palestinians as well as the recent conflict with Lebanon seriously limit efforts of our government to improve relations with the Muslim world and to reduce the threat of terrorism worldwide. Active efforts by our government to end the conflict are in the interest of the American people as well as in the interests of every man, woman and child in the Middle East. We urge you to take all possible steps in support of urgent U.S. engagement to resolve the current crisis, achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, and restart negotiations. Sincerely,Youcc:Secretary Condoleezza Rice