Statement of Concern about Violence in Israel-Palestine
November 5, 2023
We are heartbroken by the recent violence in Israel and Gaza. As Quakers, we deeply mourn the loss of all lives and pray for those who have lost loved ones due to this latest escalation. We unequivocally condemn Hamas’ attacks and inhumane treatment of civilians and call for the immediate release of all hostages. We also condemn the indiscriminate and violent Israeli response that has already claimed thousands of civilian lives.
More war and weapons won’t bring peace. In the face of growing violence, lawmakers must:
• Work to de-escalate this situation by calling for restraint, ceasefire, de-escalation, and respect for international law.
• Protect lives—those of the Israeli hostages and the millions of civilians who live in Gaza.
• Address the root causes underlying this explosion of violence.
We call for an immediate ceasefire, de-escalation, and restraint to prevent further civilian harm in Israel and the Palestinian territories
(Note: the statement is adapted from a recent issuance by FCNL)
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