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Dear John,
As we and many others have warned since October 7, the longer the war in Gaza continues, the greater the odds of a full-blown regional conflict involving the U.S. and Iran become.
Yesterday was marked by more humanitarian tragedy and more dangerous escalations that could spark such a war. We learned that workers and volunteers delivering critical aid to Gazans facing starvation were killed by Israel Defense Forces, further endangering prospects for addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and staving off mass famine.
And we learned that the IDF conducted unprecedented strikes on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria — a violation of international law and a reckless provocation that could finally prompt Iran to enter this conflict directly. Unfortunately, that may have very well been the intent.
As NIAC’s Policy Director lays out in today’s memo, this act may have upended the relative calm that had followed the most recent flashpoint between the U.S. and Iran — when 3 U.S. servicemembers were killed and hawkish Senators and advocacy groups called for Biden to bomb Iran. Restraint from both sides averted a direct conflict, and ongoing talks in Oman were sustaining a de facto truce. If restraint does not once again prevail, we may be entering dangerous new uncharted territory.
We have worked from the beginning of this conflict in support of a ceasefire precisely to avoid what we are now witnessing unfold. In less than two weeks on April 15, NIAC Action, alongside a coalition of over 40 organizations, will be mobilizing a Week of Action for Ceasefire on Capitol Hill to double down on the urgent demand for a ceasefire and for the U.S. to utilize its considerable leverage to stop the killing, halt the slide to regional war, and pursue a political solution to the many challenges at hand.
During this Week of Action, NIAC Action chapter members will be meeting with their Congressperson and Senators - including a contingent of NIAC Action volunteers from outside of Washington who we will be bussing into the events. Stay tuned for more details - and if you want to get involved virtually or in person, sign up here.
These are key moments that could define the coming years and decades. If you are not already, I invite you to sign up to volunteer locally or to join us in DC for our Week of Action so we can work together for peace.
Volunteer to support a ceasefire
Jamal Abdi
President, NIAC
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