Now is the time for the US government, in concert with the international community, to achieve a real and immediate multi-lateral ceasefire – followed by intense diplomacy to return the kidnapped Israeli soldiers, stop the rocket attacks on Israel, end the Israeli air strikes and ground incursions in Lebanon and Gaza, and install an international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

Continuing the conflict until Hezbollah is entirely disabled is strategically naïve and not in Israel’s interests.  All reports are showing that Israel’s military campaign to root out Hezbollah is facing far greater challenges than expected.  The real way to reduce the threat from Hezbollah is through an immediate ceasefire, intelligent diplomacy, the installation of an international peacekeeping force, and renewed support for the democratic Lebanese government.

More importantly, the Lebanese people, who largely rejected Hezbollah at the outset of this crisis, are now almost unanimously standing behind Hezbollah in their attacks on Israel, with anti-Israel sentiment quickly increasing throughout the Middle East.  This is the true threat to Israel’s long-term peace and security. 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently announced a three-part comprehensive plan for a "sustainable" ceasefire to the ongoing Middle East crisis. This is an important first step, and a welcome break from the US's negligence to proactively resolve this crisis, but I am very concerned that your conditions for such a "sustainable" ceasefire will allow the violence to continue for weeks. The recent bombing in Qana, Lebanon, with at least 54 dead, most of whom were children, demonstrates the urgent necessity of a ceasefire without delay.

Now is the time for the US government, in concert with the international community, to achieve a real and immediate multi-lateral ceasefire - followed by intense diplomacy to return the kidnapped Israeli soldiers, stop the rocket attacks on Israel, end the Israeli air strikes and ground incursions in Lebanon and Gaza, and install an international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

Continuing the conflict until Hezbollah is entirely disabled is strategically naïve and not in Israel's interests. All reports are showing that Israel's military campaign to root out Hezbollah is facing far greater challenges than expected. The real way to reduce the threat from Hezbollah is through an immediate ceasefire, intelligent diplomacy, the installation of an international peacekeeping force, and renewed support for the democratic Lebanese government.

More importantly, the Lebanese people, who largely rejected Hezbollah at the outset of this crisis, are now almost unanimously standing behind Hezbollah in their attacks on Israel, with anti-Israel sentiment quickly increasing throughout the Middle East. This is the true threat to Israel's long-term peace and security and US national interests in the region.

I urge you to pursue a real and immediate ceasefire now.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 01, 2006