1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I write to you today not just as a citizen, but as a man deeply disturbed and shaken by the recurring and inhumane acts of violence we witness. The haunting images of despairing Palestinian civilians suffering the heart-wrenching consequences of war weigh heavy on my conscience. It is agonizing to accept that in the name of strategic alliances and political gains, mankind can stoop so low, thrusting innocent lives into an abyss of pain and grief. My heart bleeds as I note that our nation, the United States, a beacon of liberty and peace, aids and enables this violence by providing financial aid and weapons to Israel. Our resources are used to fuel the engines of war and these weapons of destruction are aimed straight at innocent Palestinians. It goes beyond politics, beyond negotiation tables, and settles into a weary territory of humanity – how do we sleep at night knowing we have a hand in this heart-wrenching opera of death and destruction? Now is the moment for solidarity and humanity to surge ahead of any geopolitical strategy. It's about laying down our arms and raising our voices to advocate for a ceasefire. It is not enough to just sympathize with the agony of these civilians, we must be the change we want to see in the world. I plead desperately for an immediate halt of U.S. funding to Israel's violent actions against innocent Palestinian civilians and to stop sending arms that perpetuate this horrific cycle of violence. A single life saved is a glimmer of humanity restored, and it is a step towards abolishing these heart-rending crimes against humanity.