On 250th Anniversary of Declaration of Independence, doctors and priests urge US Congress to act on ongoing Gaza genocide

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Source: Priests Against Genocide

As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, on 4 July, Doctors Against Genocide (DAG) and Priests Against Genocide - USA (PAGUSA) sent a letter today to members of Congress calling for immediate action to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and uphold the founding ideals the nation is celebrating this year.

The letter, signed by physicians and Catholic priests representing a combined international network spanning 60 countries, requests meetings with lawmakers on July 22 to press for five concrete actions:

(1) enforcing the ceasefire and ensuring unrestricted humanitarian and medical aid reaches Gaza immediately;
(2) full US compliance with the Leahy Laws, rejection of National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Sections 219 and 622, and passage of the Block the Bombs Act (HR3565);
(3) withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza and restoration of full UNRWA funding;
(4) release of the nearly 10,000 Palestinians held without due process, including the 'Gaza 18 Doctors' imprisoned without charge for treating patients; and
(5) an end to settlement expansion in the West Bank, with protection for vulnerable communities, including historic Christian villages.

Dr Nidal Jboor, Co-Founder of Doctors Against Genocide appealed for urgent action: "One thousand days into Gaza's siege, more than one million children remain trapped in unimaginable conditions. As physicians and faith leaders, we believe every child is sacred, every life has equal worth, and no genocide should ever be met with indifference. The world must not look away. It must act."

"This letter is a spiritual document that calls upon our elected officials - and our nation - to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. May our divine Creator wake up our conscience, grant us moral courage to live in truth, and help to halt the ongoing genocide in Gaza," said Fr Jacek Orzechowski, OFM, of Priests Against Genocide.

The organisations note that the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is an occasion to reflect on the nation's commitment to the principle that all people are created equal, and that this principle, in their view, extends to the people of Gaza. Their letter invokes Pope Leo XIV's reminder that peace cannot exist without justice, and that citizens bear a responsibility to engage their elected representatives in pursuit of both. Doctors Against Genocide and Priests Against Genocide say they will continue to engage members of Congress directly in the weeks ahead.

Doctors Against Genocide (DAG) is a US-based global coalition of healthcare workers committed to confronting genocide worldwide.

Priests Against Genocide (PAG) is an international network of 2,300 clergy in 60 countries, including the United States.