People of conscience and good
intention often need to agree to disagree. When it comes to Israel-Palestine,
some favor a two-state solution, while others favor a bi-national, secular
state for all of historic Palestine.
But, whatever one’s vision
of a just settlement might be, it is undeniable that the continued occupation
and settlement of the West Bank and the continued blockade of Gaza are in
violation of international law and are unacceptable. This path only leads to
further conflict, violence and suffering.
It is also undeniable that,
regardless of one’s position on maintaining the Israel-Gaza border, if the
Israeli military simply wanted to keep the people of Gaza from crossing the
border, this could have been done without resort to lethal violence. Now, with
many dozens killed and literally thousands wounded through the use of live
ammunition, Israel’s actions have, once again, tragically left large numbers of
Palestinians bereaved. Their suffering has been great for many decades. Until
this long train of unjust actions is recognized and steps taken to address the
harm done, there will be no peace.
Israel’s actions only make
enemies and, as a result, make a near-term negotiated settlement of this
festering conflict ever less likely. And this might be exactly what Netanyahu
wants. But, in reality, besides the continuing harm done to the Palestinians,
this rejectionist response is not in Israel’s interest and it is certainly not
in the U.S.’s interest.
We are painfully aware
that the Trump administration has given Israel’s rightwing government virtually
everything they want, from trashing the Iran Nuclear Deal, to moving the
embassy to Jerusalem to continuing the billions in military aid the U.S.
supplies annually.
We, at Peaceworks, are
urging you, our members and supporters, to speak out. Please communicate with
our Federal elected officials and share your concerns for a peaceful and just
resolution to this long-term conflict. You can find contact info for the
President, our Missouri U.S. Senators, and our U.S. Reps if you click HERE.
Please speak out today. Remember, silence is the voice of complicity.
Please speak out today. Remember, silence is the voice of complicity.
