The historical heritage of the entire world is under threat today, a threat in the form of Daesh (ISIL). As fighters of this hateful organization stream into Palmyra, all hopes of resistance have been broken. We are calling for an immediate and direct intervention to free this cultural monument before it is destroyed in the brutal manner typical of Daesh. The conscience of humanity is tested here for all of us: either we let our heritage be razed away without a fight, or we demonstrate our dedication to the shared history of all peoples.
In a time where decades of US involvement in the Middle East have only led to more sectarian violence, there has been a decay of trust in the West in this part of the world. This is a chance to renew that trust, by showing compassion. It is time to act.