Israel/Palestine

As the war in Gaza enters its sixth month, grassroots advocacy for a ceasefire continues to grow stronger.

As our plane descended into Tel Aviv on Jan. 11, a small rainbow arced over the Holy Land. I had come looking for signs of hope amid a time of devastating violence and suffering in Israel and occupied Palestinian territory.

We urge government and university leaders to permit peaceful protests on campuses, protect freedom of speech, oppose all forms of violence against people exercising their fundamental rights, and work to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. 

Many Quaker organizations, meetings, and churches are sharing their concern around the war in Gaza and escalating violence across the Middle East.

As members of the Quaker community in Newtown, Pennsylvania, we are a part of 375 years of testimony and action against all war and violence. We reaffirm the application of the peace testimony to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

With others, we call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, greatly increased humanitarian aid, and diplomatic negotiations toward a just peace.

Durham Friends Meeting is deeply concerned about the continuing violence in Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East. As Quakers, we believe that we are never called to fight with weapons either for God or country.

We call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the region, and the restoration of humanitarian aid under the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

This is a shared statement between FCNL and seven other Quaker organizations, published April 12, 2024. You can download it here.

For centuries, Quakers have worked for peace. This mission is a practical expression of the nonviolent message of the gospels and the teaching reflected in the many religions around the world: love your neighbor as yourself.