• As the death toll continues to rise on both sides, we at CODEPINK continue to call for a cease fire. We are appalled not only by the violence itself but the lack of international leadership to try to stop it. While the world is crying out for global intervention to stop the madness, the United States is blocking the international community from calling for a ceasefire -- confusing Israel's right to defend itself with the choice to kill innocent civilians and blow up Lebanon's bridges, airports and power stations.
  
  
• There is no military solution to the current conflict. The Iraq war hasn't brought peace or security to the people of Iraq or the U.S. Bombing civilian populations has not and will not bring greater peace or security to the people of Lebanon, Palestine, and Israel.
  
  
• Jimmy Carter recently said, “It is inarguable that Israel has a right to defend itself against attacks on its citizens, but it is inhumane and counterproductive to punish civilian populations in the illogical hope that somehow they will blame Hamas and Hezbollah for provoking the devastating response.” The result instead has been that broad Arab and worldwide support has been rallied for these groups, while condemnation of both Israel and the United States has intensified.
  
  
• As far as the US position on this issue goes, Condoleezza Rice has referred to the situation as democratic ‘birth pains'. Zillah Eisenstein, professor of politics at the State University of New York in Ithaca, writes, “Condoleezza Rice refers to the unrelenting bombing in Lebanon as ‘the birth pangs' of a new democratic middle east. But these bombs create lasting damage and devastation, and are not fleeting pangs of any sort. And they birth nothing but rather kill, maim and destroy everything in their path. The only thing birthed here are new hatreds and horror. The war in Lebanon is a miscarriage of justice, a still-birth. Do not use the language of female bodies to camouflage this atrocious war.”
  
  
• We call on the United States government and all the conflicting parties to talk officially or unofficially to each other instead of trying to kill and injure each other. Talk to Syria, talk to Hezbollah, talk to Hamas, talk to Israel, and talk to Iran. Talk don't kill. All parties have legitimate grievances and concerns. Deal with them.
  
  
• We are undertaking a fast, Troops Home Fast, knowing well that Middle East conflicts will not be resolved by this action alone. Our fast aims to galvanize public support against the ongoing occupation of Iraq, and also to raise awareness about the conflict in Lebanon and Israel. Join us in this fast to share in the suffering of hundreds of innocent civilians killed, the wounded, the displaced, those whose livelihoods were destroyed, and those countless children who will grow up with deep traumas. For more information, visit www.troopshomefast.org.
  
  
• On Sunday, July 30th, Israel bombed a residential apartment building in the Lebanese village of Qana, killing 57 civilians, including 37 children. It is likely that U.S. weapons provided to Israel with U.S.-taxpayer dollars killed the villagers of Qana. According to The Washington Post, a bomb fragment found at the Qana bombing site read "For use on MK-84, Guided Bomb BSU-37/B." MK-84s are free-fall unguided bombs; Boeing-produced Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) are attached to MK-84s to convert them into GPS-guided "smart" bombs. Between 2002-2004, the Pentagon notified Congress of impending sales of 6,000 JDAMs and 2,590 MK-84s to Israel through its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program -- valued at $346 million.
  
  
• Leaders on both sides ignore strong majorities that crave peace, allowing extremist-led violence to preempt all opportunities for building a political consensus.
  
  
• The only way out of the carnage is an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, followed by multiparty negotiations to resolve the underlying political disputes based on human rights and international law. Most of the world agrees, but the governments of the U.S., Britain, and Israel have so far rejected calls for an immediate cease-fire.

What can I do to STOP this horrific war?

1. Contact Ambassador John Bolton at the U.S. Mission to the UN by calling (212) 415-4050 or emailing usa@un.int and ask him to call for a ceasefire.
2. Contact UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and implore the UN must show leadership and demand a ceasefire. Email: sg@un.org and/or Fax: (212) 963-1921.
3. Call your Congressperson and the White House every day this week and demand an immediate cease-fire and a Presidential report to Congress on Israel's misuse of U.S.-supplied weapons to kill civilians and destroy civilian infrastructure in violation of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act.
4. Call 202-456-1111 or email comments@whitehouse.gov today to reach the White House! Call Congress at 202-224-3121 for the Capitol switchboard.
5. Attend local demonstrations and vigils. You can find out more information about local actions by connecting with peace groups working on this issue in your area. Check out what other groups are doing!
6. Join the fast.We are entering the second month of our fast, in which over 4,000 people have already participated.