Welcome. Im bob abernethy. Its good to have you with us. As israel launched its ground offensive in gaza, religious groups continued to raise concerns and special prayers about the crisis. Some people of faith protested israels campaign in gaza, highlighting the large numbers of civilians who have been killed. Jewish groups and some christians rallied in solidarity with israel. Several u. S. Jewish leaders expressed concern about what they see as an antisemitic tone in many antiisrael protests. Meanwhile, some jews and muslims joined together in a daylong fast for peace. At the vatican, pope francis led tens of thousands in prayer for an end to the violence. He also personally called israeli president shimon peres and palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas urging a ceasefire. The complex interfaith sensitivities provoked by the crisis were evident at the white house this week. President obama hosted islamic leaders and muslim diplomats for a dinner to break their ramadan fast. He pledged