Three Members of Congress have publicly called for an end to the blockade of Gaza: Reps. Keith Ellison, Barbara Lee, and Danny Davis —and we want more Congressional representatives to to join them. This is a critical moment. Israeli and Palestinian officials are scheduled to resume talks on Gaza at the end of October. Hamas has already agreed to hand control of the Gaza crossings to the Palestinian Authority. European countries are ready to help monitor the crossings. European donors want the blockade to be lifted with a diplomatic agreement before committing reconstruction aid, so they can be sure to get materials into Gaza in a timely way and so things they build won’t later be destroyed. The political and diplomatic situation is ripe to finally end the blockade with a diplomatic agreement. Last month, beloved actor and social justice activist Danny Glover publicly called on Members of Congress to stand with Ellison and Lee in speaking out for an end to the blockade. [1] United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said, “The blockade of Gaza must end; Israel’s legitimate security concerns must be addressed.” He has warned, “Any peace effort that does not tackle the root causes of the crisis will do little more than set the stage for the next cycle of violence.” [2] Palestinian civilians in Gaza need and deserve to live a normal life: free to travel, free to work, free to study, free to trade. Urge your representatives in Congress to speak out now by signing and sharing our petition. References: 1. http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/moc-end-blockade 2. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-strip-conflict.html

I have heard Peter Kassig recount tales of his aid given to Syrian refugees in Lebanon and I know his dedication to the cause to be above and beyond basic volunteering. Kassig has dedicated his life to helping devise peace and community in the world and we would all be incredibly remiss to see his life cut so short by these oppressors.

Today, Israel is led by the most pro-settlement, pro-occupation government since 1967. Israel’s leaders openly prioritize land over peace, settlements over security, hegemony over healthy democracy, and Greater Israel over a greater position for Israel in the community of nations. Israel’s government has a right to defend its citizens, but it does not have a right to compel them to pay the price of a perpetual occupation, neither does it have the right to keep millions of Palestinians under military rule. Ending the occupation is a national security interest of the United States, of its international allies, and – first and foremost – of the people of Israel and friends of Israel worldwide. If Israel is to exist in the future as a Jewish state and a democracy, it must rid itself of the occupation. Successive Israeli governments have for years talked about wanting peace, but their policies of deepening and expanding Israel's hold on lands occupied in 1967 tell a very different story. If the Obama administration is serious about resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is time for it to apply constructive pressure that would prompt Israel, in concrete ways, to roll back settlements and end the occupation – or get out of the way as others take the lead. After 47+ years of consequences-free pro-occupation policies, and two decades of failed US-led diplomacy, this pressure may be the only thing left that can convince Israel and its leaders to change course.

If we don't begin a Utopian Democracy - They will give us HELL! http://UtopiaTheBook.com for more.

We are being bombarded by their rhetoric daily. This has to stop.

A new U.S. war has begun in Iraq and Syria—without Congressional authorization. Congress is likely to vote on an authorization, sooner or later; whatever they eventually vote on will almost certainly pass. What is in the authorization they vote on is something that we can still influence. In the process, we can help put a quick end to this war, preventing it from becoming another endless quagmire. The Congressional Progressive Caucus Resolution, H.Con.Res.114, establishes a set of four key principles that we can organize around. The resolution says that Congress: - should debate and vote on whether the U.S. should be involved in sustained combat in Iraq or Syria; - does not support the deployment of ground combat troops in Iraq or Syria; - should ensure that any grant of authority for force is narrowly tailored and limited; and - should ensure that any grant of authority for force includes robust reporting requirements. Key progressive leaders in Congress supporting H.Con.Res.114 include: Reps. Raul Grijalva, Keith Ellison, Barbara Lee, Jim McGovern, Alan Grayson, Peter DeFazio, Peter Welch, Mark Pocan, Jim McDermott, John Conyers, Katherine Clark, Beto O'Rourke, Janice Hahn, Richard Nolan, Hank Johnson, Charlie Rangel, Michael Honda, Chellie Pingree, Niki Tsongas, Mark Takano, Sam Farr, John Lewis, Jose Serrano. https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/114/cosponsors Show your support for H.Con.Res.114 and these principles by signing our petition.

American military around the world is the greatest stronghold of liberty and peace in the world. As the American leader actively abandons the role of the “world’s policeman” taking on a new role of “world’s janitor” should not be the next destiny of men and women in uniform.

If we haven't learned something significant from previous mistakes in our strategy toward global terrorism, then why continue putting military personnel and citizens at risk waging an ineffective war?

For decades now, our country has tried to solve the conflicts in the Middle East through the use of force. This strategy is clearly not working.

It seems that the terrorists are using weapons originally paid for by American taxpayers, but captured by terrorists or re-sold to them. What is our government doing about this situation?

Every move we make or don't make can lead to deepening the quagmire we created in Iraq and to increasing the national debt with no guarantee of success, whatever that might look like. It will make impossible demands on our tired volunteer forces and the families that try to support them. Many recent veterans are not getting the care they deserve. Our country's crumbling infrastructure needs billions of dollars for repairs. Before the United States engages in further military action, I want you to answer my question.

Debate and review our continued war actions in Syria and Iraq.This is the job of the Congress!All citizens will be effected and will influence public policy for years to come.