Yesterday, the first Israeli hostages since November 2023 were released from Gaza, marking the beginning of a six-week ceasefire. This agreement will see 33 hostages returned to Israel while Palestinians in Gaza are allowed to return to what remains of their homes in the North. The ceasefire will also enable a massive increase in humanitarian aid, which will hopefully alleviate the famine that has devastated the civilian population. This moment marks what I hope will be the end of the war, with a provision for a second round of more permanent negotiations scheduled to begin sixteen days after the start of this ceasefire. There is a sense of catharsis now that the ceasefire has begun—a long exhale after holding our collective breath. But even this fragile peace carries the weight of unbearable loss. The reality is that the general parameters of this agreement were known months ago, and every moment of inaction cost lives. Each casualty is a profound tragedy, a reminder of the futility and horror of this conflict. These are not abstract numbers; these are individuals, each with dreams, families, and futures stolen by the delays, the political machinations, and the failure to act sooner. After fifteen months of grief and horror, this nightmare may finally be coming to an end. But if you’re feeling exhausted, I understand. I am, too. I am so tired of this war and all that has come with it. Yet, I also know that today marks the beginning of a new kind of fight. Today, Donald Trump will once again be sworn in as President. After enduring his previous term and the heartbreak of November’s election loss, it’s natural for those on the left to feel devastated and drained. But this is precisely what Trump and his allies are counting on. Lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace requires security, self-determination, and dignity for both peoples. Yet, President Trump is already laying the groundwork to undermine these principles. The Trump administration is poised to support Israeli annexation of the West Bank. Key appointments signal this intent. Both Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s choice to lead the State Department, and Mike Huckabee, the nominee for Ambassador to Israel, have referred to the West Bank as “Judea and Samaria.” Such language is not incidental; it’s a deliberate precursor to supporting claims of Israeli sovereignty over the territory—something Huckabee has actively promoted in the past. Today also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges we face domestically. At the end of last year, Republicans in Congress pushed to pass H.R. 9495—a law that would have granted President Trump broad powers to target ideological opponents by revoking the tax-deductible status of nonprofits, effectively shutting them down. In response, advocacy groups from diverse issue areas united in a remarkable display of coalition building to oppose the bill. This groundswell of opposition led to its initial defeat, a stunning reversal given the near-unanimous support it had received earlier in the year when concerns about the abuse of presidential power were less pronounced. While Donald Trump has promised reprisals for political enemies and we can certainly expect to see future legislation like H.R. 9495, there's a lesson to be gleaned from the legislative fight last year. Unity across the sector and a commitment to coalition building were pivotal in defeating this bill. Advocacy groups with little in common and vastly different issue areas came together in solidarity to protect the broader principles of democracy and civil society. This collaboration underscores the strength and necessity of collective action in the face of significant threats. The same spirit of unity is required now as we confront the challenges ahead. As exhausted as we may feel, we cannot afford to disengage. This moment demands vigilance and resolve. The fight for a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians is far from over. Nor is the fight for the soul of our democracy here at home. We owe it to every life lost to fight for that future with all the resolve we can muster. | 
