OneWorld.net (U.S.)

From the American Friends Service Committee, a nobel prize-winning Quaker human rights organization based in Philadelphia:

"We view the unfolding tragedy in the Middle East with moral and spiritual repugnance. The destruction of precious human lives must end immediately....We stand with the people who will live to endure war’s physical and psychological damage. We affirm the right of all people in the region to live in peace and security.

"Military action only encourages future violence as hearts are hardened and voices of conciliation are shouted down." [Read the whole statement.]

From the California-based human rights group Global Exchange:

"Global Exchange supports Congressman Dennis Kucinich's emergency resolution (H Con Res 450), calling upon the president to appeal to all sides in the current crisis in the Middle East for an immediate cessation of violence and to commit United States diplomats to multi-party negotiations. Contact your congressperson and ask them to support the Kucinich resolution today.

"Our hearts go out to everyone who is feeling the weight of this crisis."

From Lutheran World Relief, a humanitarian aid organization based in Baltimore:

"LWR partner organization the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)/Inter Church Network for Development and Relief in Lebanon (ICNDR) is already responding to the immediate humanitarian needs of 12,000 people on behalf of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) network. The response includes cleaning supplies needed to ensure sanitary conditions in the schools where people are taking refuge; emergency food rations; and diapers and supplementary food for infants and children.

"'The escalation of violence in the region is troubling,' said LWR President Kathryn Wolford. 'Through ACT, we are able to assist the civilians who have been forced to flee their homes, and we pray for a swift end to the fighting.'" [Read the whole statement and find out how to contribute.]

From InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian non-governmental organizations:

"Of particular concern to the humanitarian community, there is massive displacement of people [in Lebanon], perhaps numbering as many as 400,000....Meanwhile, since June the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has deteriorated noticeably. Damage sustained to the Gazan power plant on June 28 has generated additional challenges for the provision of food and water....Within Israel, rocket attacks from beyond the country’s borders have killed and wounded numerous civilians and caused displacement of citizens seeking to escape vulnerable areas.

"Even in these challenging conditions, many US-based private voluntary organizations are delivering life-saving assistance to populations with critical needs." [Discover groups assisting those caught up in violence.]