A broad coalition of national and local Christian organizations and nonviolent peacemakers have launched the Lenten Ceasefire Campaign, rooted in the transforming power of Jesus’ way of active nonviolence. The Lenten Ceasefire Campaign (LCC) has arisen out of collaboration during multiple months of creative nonviolent resistance action for a ceasefire in Gaza. Nonviolent actions took place February 14 and February 21.  LCC actions are currently planned for February 28 and March 6 and March 13.

The organizations involved with Lenten Ceasefire Campaign acknowledge that both Hamas and Israel have committed horrible violence. We believe that the focus must shift to diplomacy, accountability mechanisms, and strategic nonviolent peacebuilding, and that neither war nor retribution is accountability. We believe urgent action is needed to stop the mass slaughter, destruction, and generational trauma.

Jewish and Muslim leaders have organized mass demonstrations, prayers, and risk-taking. If Christians visibly appeal in mass to President Biden and members of Congress with Christian commitments, we may help create the conditions for de-escalating steps and a sustaining ceasefire that will save lives, create space for genuine accountability, and create better conditions for addressing the root causes and a sustainable just peace.

We invite individuals and organizations to join us in this urgent, transformative Lenten Ceasefire Campaign!

Policy Goals

Lent challenges Christians to acknowledge responsibility for harm and turn from our habits of sin and violence. Our democracy and leadership are complicit in the mass slaughter and “plausible genocide” (International Court of Justice) enacted by the Israeli government in Gaza, including ongoing violence in the West Bank. Will we acknowledge responsibility…turn away from war and turn to habits of just peace?

The policy goals include:

• An immediate, sustained bilateral ceasefire

• Demilitarization, stop sending weapons

• Release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners held without due process

• Robust humanitarian assistance, US government funding of the UN Relief and Works Agency, 

• End the siege on Gaza

• An end to the occupation

• Political process for accountability and a just peace

Taking Action

The Lenten Ceasefire Campaign’s first action took place February 14 with an Ash Wednesday liturgy and Ecumenical Witness at the White House, which included about 150 participants as well as 14 risking arrest.

The second occurred on February 21 as a multi-faith Pilgrimage for Peace arrived in Washington DC from Philadelphia, with a rally at the White House.

Additional weekly waves of nonviolent action are planned, including during the week of February 28 focused on local grassroots action. To prepare for this week of action, here is a tool-kit that you can use to encourage people in your community to engage in a local organizing strategic nonviolent action.  Action is also scheduled for March 6 and March 13.

The American Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Council of Bishops has called for ceasefire and withdraw of financial support to Israel on Feb. 15th. Leaders of women's religious communities in the Northwest U.S. released a joint statement with several Catholic Bishops calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. Read the statement here.

This is a critical moment with the initiating invasion of Rafah and the potential House vote on more weapons to Israel. Please continue to contact your Congress members.

The Lenten Ceasefire Campaign endorsing organizations include:

Churches for Middle East Peace; Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces; Dorothy Day Catholic Worker; Festival Center; Franciscan Action Network; Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA); Georgetown University Medical Students for Palestine, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd; National Council of Churches, USA; Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace; Pax Christi USA; Quixote Center; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team; Sojourners; United Church of Christ; and the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER).

Eli S. McCarthy, Ph.D is a professor of Justice and Peace Studies at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.