BUFFALO, N.Y. – Representatives of Jewish Voice for Peace and the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York came together to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

“I am just feeling complete desperation and I don’t understand how we’re in this country allowing this to keep going,” said Marion Werner, a founding member of Jewish Voice for Peace.

Beside her was Husam Ghanim, an activist and member of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of WNY. Both emphasized the urgency of a cease-fire as nearly 19,000 people have died in Gaza and 1,200 in Israel, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip.