Elizabeth Kelly, Karishma Manzur, PhD, and Ann Podlipny are members of the NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East, which includes NH Veterans for Peace, VT/NH. Jewish Voice for Peace, NH Conf. of United Church of Christ, NH Peace Action, NH Program of the American Friends Service Committee, and several other organizations. They live in Gilford, Exeter, and Chester, respectively.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to address the U.S. Congress on July 24.

We are a Jew, a Christian, and a Muslim. As residents of New Hampshire and members of the NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East (NHCJPME), we are horrified that our Congress honored Netanyahu despite credible evidence of ‘war crimes’ and ‘crimes against humanity’ being perpetrated by his government and the Israeli military against babies, children, women, men, and the elderly in Gaza and the West Bank. The ongoing death and destruction are in clear violation of international and humanitarian laws.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu. A separate case brought forth by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) argues that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. The ICJ also declared Israel’s long-term occupation of Palestinian territory as unlawful and de facto annexation, and called for Israel to stop the occupation and provide reparations to Palestinians for 57 years of occupation that systematically discriminates against them.

Ahead of Netanyahu’s speech, seven American labor unions representing six million workers joined the worldwide condemnation by issuing a press release demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to military aid to Israel.

This included flight attendants (AFA-CWA), postal workers (APWU), painters (IUPAT), educators (NES), service employees (SEIU), auto workers (UAW), and electrical workers (UE). APWU President Mark Dimondstein said in a press release: “Our unions are hearing the cries of humanity as this vicious war continues. Working people and our unions are horrified that our tax dollars are financing this ongoing tragedy. We need a ceasefire now, and the best way to secure that is to shut off U.S. military aid to Israel.”

The NAACP, which is the largest civil rights organization, said in a press release: “Over the past months, we have been forced to bear witness to unspeakable violence, affecting innocent civilians, which is unacceptable.”

A letter written by 45 American doctors and nurses who volunteered in Gaza mentioned witnessing widespread war crimes using U.S.-supplied weapons. Dr. Mark Perlmutter said: “Gaza was the first time I held a baby’s brains in my hand. The first of many.”

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Some 500 Israeli academics signed a letter stating: “Netanyahu’s only interest is preserving his own power and transforming a democratic Israel into a new dictatorship.”

On the day of Netanyahu’s speech, one of the authors of this op-ed joined thousands of proponents of peace and justice in Washington, D.C. The author met protesters of all ages and backgrounds from across the country, including university professors, older American Jews who grew up supporting Israel but who are horrified by the actions of the current Israeli government, and a social worker who traveled all the way from Alaska to protest the speech.

Unfortunately, the large gathering included several fringe groups with their own agenda that engaged in vandalism and skirmishes with police. The mainstream media focused on the actions of the few provocateurs instead of the thousands of peaceful protesters who sought to draw attention to the ongoing violence in Gaza.

Yet, despite the nationwide and international condemnation of the crimes being committed by the current Israeli government against Palestinians, a majority of our congress members cheered and gave numerous standing ovations to Netanyahu.

The spillover effect in the United States will be more division, more racism and antisemitism, and more anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments.

On July 24, our fellow members of the NHCJPME assembled in various places in NH to communicate their displeasure with our senators and U.S. representatives who signaled support for Netanyahu with their presence at his speech.

Senator Shaheen was the only member of the NH congressional delegation who did not attend the speech stating: “Now is not the time for Prime Minister Netanyahu to be in DC — he should be in Israel working to finalize a ceasefire deal that sees the safe return of all hostages and relief for the Palestinian people.”

Senator Shaheen’s statement underscores international concerns that Netanyahu is not acting in good faith in ceasefire discussions as there are existential threats to his political position.

If the United States is a rules-based nation, we should support rules-based policies. If the International Courts find that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed in the ongoing conflict in Israel-Palestine and the U.S. was willfully contributing to the crimes, our nation will be complicit in genocide.

Many of us in NH believe in working together to bring peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. This is possible and in our nation’s best interest. The recent formation of the NHCJPME demonstrates our willingness to work together towards this objective.