Lebanon

So I have many friends in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon right now and the idea that they are in the middle of this utter mess is very upsetting. Another friend who is a priest has been quite active in petitioning the Vatican to come out very strongly against the actions against civilians on all sides, but especially against Israel who is responding as a sovereign state, not as a militant wing of a particular political party - and as such bears more responsibility to be just.

This was the statement put out by the Vatican:

HOLY SEE CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST
VATICAN CITY, JUL 14, 2006 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano today made the following declaration on Vatican Radio:
"The news we are receiving from the Middle East is certainly worrying."
The Holy Father Benedict XVI and all his collaborators are following with great attention the latest dramatic episodes, which risk degenerating into a conflict with international repercussions.
"As in the past, the Holy See also condemns both the terrorist attacks on the one side and the military reprisals on the other. Indeed, a State's right to self-defense does not exempt it from respecting the norms of international law, especially as regards the protection of civilian populations.
"In particular, the Holy See deplores the attack on Lebanon, a free and sovereign nation, and gives assurances of its closeness to those people who have suffered so much in the defense of their own independence.
"Once again, it appears obvious that the only path worthy of our civilization is that of sincere dialogue between the contending parties."


If you want to get involved you can click

White HouseEmail:
comments@whitehouse.gov
Comment line: 202-456-1111
Main #/Switchboard: 202-456-1414

U.S. State Department
Go to the ‘Contact Us’ section on the website: Then click on the E-mail a question/comment Tab, then for ‘Topic’ and select Secretary of State

Public Information line/ Comment line (Choose option #1): 202-647-6575Main #/switchboard: 202-647-4000


Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Senator Lugar:
Email: senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov
Phone (202) 224-4814


Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Minority Member Senator Biden:
Email via contact form at -- http://biden.senate.gov/contact/emailjoe.cfm
Phone: 202-224-5042


House International Relations Committee


Intl. Relations Committee Chairman Represenative Hyde
Phone: (202) 225-4561
Does not accept emails from non-Illinois residents




Pointers adapted from Cherese:
A few points as a starter as you develop your own communication ... I am not an expert however, so again please forgive me, for these are not the most well-worded or politically correct points:

> In a positive manner acknowledge the U.S. government (i.e. Secretary Rice and President Bush) for suggesting that Israel have restraint in its response to Hezbollah. Then ask the U.S. government to communicate this with greater strength, and influence Israel, because the people of Lebanon are suffering deeply in this crisis.

> Encourage and ask the U.S. Government specifically your member of Congress to do whatever it/they can to provide strong support towards de-escalating this crisis, for people on all sides are suffering.

> Ask that we not turn our backs on the people of Lebanon, a people who took democracy from vision to reality during their own Cedar Revolution just over a year ago.

> Express to see my tax dollars support the security of the Lebanese people, and the people of Gaza and the West Bank, and Iraq, and people all over the world who are longing for security. We should do this through increased diplomacy, capacity building and supportive economic initiatives. Improving their security situation improves the stability of their regions, and thus in turn improves our own security.

> Include a story or email from a Lebanese colleague or friend if you can,to humanize the situation.