The Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) has joined an international coalition of Quaker-led organizations in releasing a statement discerning that the ongoing military action of the Israeli government against Palestinian communities in Gaza and the West Bank constitutes genocide. The statement opens as follows:
“As Quakers, we recognize the divine imprint in every human being and confess the equality of all to live safely and without fear.
We are also compelled as Quakers to speak truth with integrity, including where it is uncomfortable, yet always to do so in love. This requires us to speak against the
catastrophic violence in Gaza.
Friends have a long history of working for peaceful coexistence and justice for all people in the Middle East. We have witnessed times when Jews, Muslims, and Christians have enjoyed peace and cooperation in the region. Since the creation of the state of Israel, our organizations have supported nonviolent efforts among both Palestinians and Israelis to protect human rights, prevent violence, address the root causes of conflict, and promote peace-building. We still believe a peaceful future for all peoples is possible…”
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