Testimonies From Gaza’s Families

On October 15, Rev. Mira Sawlani-Joyner, Juliet Owuor, and I attended an event where a delegation of U.S.-based Palestinians with family in Gaza shared their powerful stories, followed by a candlelight vigil. We listened to deeply moving testimonies of collective struggle, resilience, and enduring hope amid the ongoing military assault by the State of Israel. To learn more about what was shared, click the link below.

One story that struck me deeply—especially as a mother—was from a woman who described her young niece studying each night in a tent by flashlight, determined to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor to serve her people. Another speaker shared that he had been detained for two years as a teenager after being shot in the face. Now living in the U.S. and raising five children, he spoke of his enduring love for Gaza and his longing to return.

These stories were part of a broader advocacy effort in preparation for meetings with U.S. representatives to support House Resolution 3565: The Block the Bombs Act, introduced by Representatives Delia C. Ramirez, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, and Mark Pocan, and co-sponsored by 18 others. This legislation seeks to restrict the sale and transfer of certain weapons and services to Israel. The resolution comes amid escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank, where the death toll since October 7, 2023, is estimated at more than 54,000 Palestinian men, women, and children.
More information can be found here: CMEP – H.R. 3565 Block the Bombs Act.

Following the testimonies, we gathered to pray and lament the lives lost in Gaza and the ongoing occupation and assault on Palestinians. It was deeply moving to join together as people of different faith traditions, with both Christian and Muslim clergy leading us in prayer.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) to connect the stories and needs of impacted communities with meaningful advocacy and action for justice and peace. We will be participating in their Let Children Live and Red Candle Campaigns—please look out for opportunities to support these initiatives.