Expressing views that are surely representative of American Jews as a whole, here's what some American Jews are saying about the violence in Gaza.
J Street has a petition demanding that the U.S. intervene to bring about an immediate resumption of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; the petition also calls for lifting the blockade of Gaza.
The petition says:
I support immediate and strong U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to urgently reinstate a meaningful ceasefire that ends all military operations, stops the rockets aimed at Israel and lifts the blockade of Gaza. This is in the best interests of Israel, the Palestinian people and the United States.
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom has an action alert asking folks to write to President-elect Obama, insisting that he speak out now and call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian aid to Gaza, noting that he has spoken out on other issues. As Representative Barney Frank pointed out, "Obama says we have one President at a time, but I'm afraid that seriously overstates the number of Presidents we have right now."
Americans for Peace Now is asking its supporters to write to President Bush and President-elect Obama in support of a ceasefire and humanitarian relief for Gaza.
Jewish Voice for Peace condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza, calling for an immediate end to attacks on all civilians, whether Palestinian or Israeli, and noting that the blockade of Gaza is a violation of humanitarian law and has been widely condemned around the world. Meanwhile they have been organizing support for Israeli high school students who have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinian Territories.
The overwhelming majority of American Jews voted for Obama -- just as the overwhelming majority of American Jews opposed the Iraq war. Let's pull for President-elect Obama to heed Brit Tzedek v'Shalom's call to speak out now.