The following post was written by Peaceworks Director, Mark Haim.
Pursue Non-Violence. Condemn the
Actions of Netanyahu as well as Elias Rodriguez.
I write today
as a Jewish American as well as as an advocate for a just peace in
Israel/Palestine. I am responding to the murder, in cold blood, of
two members of the staff of Israel's embassy in Washington, as well
as the unrelenting Israeli war on Gaza which has cost the lives of
tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Some seek to gain political
advantage from the former, painting the peace movement as violent and
antisemitic. Both charges, however, are bogus.
Let me make
this perfectly clear. The peace movement is a force for non-violence.
We unequivocally condemn the actions of the apparent gunman, Elias
Rodriguez, who took the lives of Israeli embassy staffers Yaron
Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. Moreover, our demonstrations, vigils,
sit-ins, encampments, etc. have been overwhelmingly peaceful. Members
of our movement have been arrested and, in some cases, kidnapped,
based upon them exercising their constitutionally guaranteed free
speech rights, not due to any violence.
We reject the
conflation of opposition to Israel's current actions in Gaza and the
West Bank, or Zionism more generally, with antisemitism. Over the
past year and a half I have participated in countless meetings, as
well as several hundred vigils or demonstrations right here in CoMo
and I have yet to encounter antisemitism among my fellow peace
advocates.
In fact, I am a member of a local Jewish peace
group, CoMo Jews 4 Ceasefire which has generally good relations with
all segments of the community including the Islamic Center of Central
Missouri, Congregation Beth Shalom as well as many secular groups. We
don't all agree on everything with everybody, but our dialogue is
respectful. There is, thankfully, no hate.
Solidarity with
the people of Palestine and opposition to the slaughter of innocents
is not hatred. In fact it is motivated by compassion and our caring
for our fellow humans.
We support a just settlement to the
longstanding conflict in Israel/Palestine. We unequivocally condemn
the actions of Hamas and its allies on Oct. 7, 2023. We likewise
condemn the disproportionate, genocidal actions of the Israeli
military, including the bombing of civilians and the enforcement of a
blockade that's led to starvation and illness, including the stunting
of development of infants and children in Gaza. These are
unacceptable war crimes.
Adding insult to injury, these
crimes have been carried out on our dime, so to speak. U.S.
taxpayers—we that is—are paying for many billions in arms and
munitions, with most of the money going to U.S. military contractors.
This war, which we've underwritten, has gone on far too long. It has
cost far too many lives, severely injured many more, traumatized
millions, and cost tens of billions. It must be stopped.
In
closing, allow me to reiterate: We are voices for peace. We reject
the attempts to smear our non-violent movement. Rodriguez does not
represent the peace movement by any stretch of the imagination.
Our
message: End the war. Free the hostages and prisoners. Feed the
starving and provide the sorely needed medical care. Support a just
and lasting peace.
