Statement on Israel and Palestine January 25, 2024
After significant research, investigation, deliberation, and consultation with the wider interfaith community, we, the Board of Directors of the Institute for Religious Tolerance, Peace and Justice, are compelled by our collective consciences to issue this statement. We are comprised of scholars, activists, and clergy of a variety of different faith traditions, and we have drawn upon millennia of godly wisdom available to us in our faiths and those of our allies and colleagues.
We grieve with the State of Israel for the horrendous loss of life sustained on, and subsequent to October 7th, 2023, resulting from the raid by Hamas insurgents. As has been rightly proclaimed, this is the greatest loss of Jewish lives since the Holocaust, with over 1,300 Israelis dead and 240 hostages taken in connection with that assault—and many still not yet released as of the issuing of this statement.
We also grieve with the people of Gaza and all of Palestine, whose suffering matches that of Israel, in its own way, owing to the tremendous losses of civilian life due to “collateral damage”—now in excess of 25,000 deaths—many of whose lives have been taken indiscriminately through bombing by IDF forces during the subsequent campaign to subdue Hamas and liberate the hostages taken. The daily death rate of 250 is now higher than any other major 21st century conflict.[1]
We do not believe that any civilian lives are ever expendable, and while we unequivocally condemn the murderous actions of Hamas, we also ardently challenge the current protocols, policies, and tactics used by the IDF in response to this situation. According to the Geneva Conventions, the UN Declaration of Human Rights, as well as Just War Theory, civilians are never to be targeted by military forces, and civilian casualties are always to be avoided at all costs. And as such, this requirement to avoid civilian deaths is equally binding upon both Israel and Palestine. It is also not lost on us that the current death toll in Gaza, exceeding 25,000 lives (mostly civilian), is over half that of the initial deaths immediately resulting from the bombing of Nagasaki in 1945, thereby in the same order of magnitude. One cannot decry the deliberate targeting of civilian life in one situation, but ignore the other.
We adamantly reject the notion that one must only grieve for, or show compassion for one side, or that by sympathizing with the suffering of political adversaries, one is necessarily “taking sides”. Or that by calling for a change in policy or tactics, or by opposing the State of Israel’s current pathway, that one is anti-Semitic.[2]
What is needed for a long-term solution is a coordinated and comprehensive program of peacebuilding, incorporating justice, reconciliation, and education. Before this can be accomplished, an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the safeguarding of all civilian lives must be considered a prerequisite.
As such, we urge the entity of Hamas to return all Israeli hostages without further resistance, for the sake of their countrymen, the civilians of Palestine, and for the sake of pursing peace and reconciliation.[3] Thus, we call upon Hamas to agree to an immediate and lasting cease-fire with Israel.
As such, we also call upon Israel and the IDF to make dramatic, immediate, and lasting changes in its policies toward Gaza and all of Palestine.[4] Taking the lives of over 25,000 Palestinian civilians, as well as at least three Israeli hostages killed carelessly and mistakenly by IDF forces, along with numerous journalists and non-combatants both inside and outside of the theater of operations is unacceptable.[5]
In as much as the State of Israel has the upper hand militarily, yet the current military campaign tactics have failed to accomplish the stated goals of dismantling Hamas and effecting the return of the Israeli hostages;
In as much as the current tactics of intentionally bombing cities, schools, refugee camps, and hospitals—with the goal of targeting a minuscule number of insurgents claimed to be hiding in those civilian locations—transgress the rules of Just War Theory, the inordinate death toll will necessarily create more ill will among Palestinians as well as the rest of the world;
In as much as the State of Israel is touted as a democracy, founded on the principles of human rights of all people, including a promise of “equal citizenship” and enfranchisement to the Arab inhabitants of Israel, as well as extending their “hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighbourliness,”[6] we believe that the State of Israel has the responsibility to set an example that is put forth by Biblical scripture and morality, and to be the light amongst the nations that it is called to be.[7] Thus, we ardently implore the State of Israel to implement an immediate and lasting ceasefire, followed by a comprehensive program of peacebuilding and reconciliation with the Palestinian people.[8]
[1] https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/daily-death-rate-gaza-higher-any-other-major-21st-century-conflict-oxfam
[2] https://www.laloyolan.com/opinion/guest-editorial-justice-for-all-in-the-holy-land/article_dd80c661-57e0-5ea9-a5d6-5343e9cd9415.html
[3] As it says in the Holy Qur’an, “On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (Qur’an 5:32) Also, “If the enemy is inclined towards peace, make peace with them. And put your trust in Allah. Indeed, He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Qur’an 8:61)
[4] “Seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:15).
[5] Similarly to the above citation from the Qur’an, the Jerusalem Talmud states, “Therefore man was created single in the world to teach that for anybody who destroys a single life it is counted as if he destroyed an entire world, and for anybody who preserves a single life it is counted as if he preserved an entire world.” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:9)
[6] https://www.gov.il/en/departments/general/declaration-of-establishment-state-of-israel The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel expresses its intent toward peace with all neighboring Arab countries, some of which were already at war with Israel; the nascent State of Palestine is now such a neighbor, and a state of peace must be restored. Concomitantly, Palestinian Arabs within Israel must be reassured of their equal rights under Israeli law, and of their full and equal access to complete enfranchisement and participation in the nation.
[7] "I the LORD have called unto you in righteousness, and have taken hold of your hand, and submitted you as the people's covenant, as a light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6)
[8] As it states in the Torah; “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not ill-treat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, I will heed their outcry as soon as they cry out to Me, and My anger shall blaze forth and I will put you to the sword, and your own wives shall become widows and your children orphans.” (Exodus.22.20-23, JPS translation) Also, “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I the LORD am your God.” (Leviticus.19.33-34 JPS translation)
