My name is Sean Cononie.

For over 40 years, I’ve dedicated my life to social services—founding numerous nonprofit organizations, think tanks, homeless shelters, the 605-NO-SHOOT mass shooting prevention hotline, and initiatives addressing hate crimes, domestic terrorism, global warming, pandemic planning, and disaster response. I’ve dewormed children in Haiti, supported starving families, launched The Homeless Voice newspaper, and even created the People’s United Nations. Wherever I saw a problem, I worked to shine a light on it and offer a solution.

I write. I speak. I act. I try to change hearts and provide real services that make a difference. I’m not always right, but I do my best to create tools that can live in the toolbox of progress.

My most recent efforts have focused on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

In the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, I stood strongly in support of Israel’s right to defend its people—100%. The attacks were horrifying, and I initially believed Israel’s military response was justified to dismantle Hamas, which is internationally recognized as a terrorist organization.

But just nine days later, on October 16, 2023, I began reaching out to the Israeli government, urging them to follow the rules of war. I warned that without restraint, public support would erode, and the world would bear witness to unimaginable suffering. Children were dying. Civilian casualties were mounting. I believed then, and still do, that there were smarter, more humane strategies—especially with modern technology.

Yes, Hamas was hiding behind civilians. But even so, Israel, as a democracy with global influence, had an obligation to do better. Urban warfare is brutal and indiscriminate. I knew from my own experience—and from my couch—that this was going to spiral into something devastating. And now, years later, we’re watching it happen. World leaders are finally speaking up against the famine and devastation in Gaza. But how did it take this long? If I could see it from my couch,  why couldn’t they?  Why did I know this, but the world leaders took so long to speak out?  It seems like a third grader would know this.

I’m not claiming to have all the answers. I’m not a military strategist. But I know that speed without wisdom leads to tragedy. Making Gaza look like a moonscape is horrible; it is all rubble. I don’t care if a hospital has a few terrorists in there, wait it out and get the bad guys later.  The USA has done this at times.

This is my message:

We, the people, must speak up. Use your voice. Say something, even if it’s just one suggestion. And say it loud. Because the world’s leaders aren’t always thinking clearly when emotions run high.

God bless Israel. God bless the innocent people of Gaza.

Lord, speak to our leaders. Stop the killing of children. Feed the starving. Heal this world. Israel, I have faith you can do better.  You needed to respond, but now let’s think about what you can do to help the starving children and non-combatives eat a meal at least once a day.