EquaSion Statement on Israel-Hamas Conflict
Desperate times require that we stick together. For those who know us and our history of interfaith work, we were the National Conference of Christians and Jews, BRIDGES for a Just Community, and now EquaSion. We are a broad coalition of people of faith, who are always seeking to be inclusive, while moving the needle toward justice and peace. Following many conversations and e-discussions, we met as a board and agreed that our core values lead us to stand-up, rather than stand-by.
It’s complicated. We acknowledge there are trigger words being used that can shut down the conversation, inflame passions, and strike fear in those who live knowing that there are people who hate you, just because you live as “the other.” As a community, we are bewildered and disheartened by the tragic events that have unfolded over the last two months.
The horror continues. The horrors we initially witnessed in the attack by Hamas on Israel and capture of hostages were beyond words. 1,200 Israelis were killed as a result of the October 7th assault. Our hearts break for the families of those who have lost lives and the 300,000 Israelis who have been displaced. Our hearts break for the loss of life in Gaza, over 14,500 according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency says 1.7 million civilian Palestinians have been forced from their homes causing a humanitarian crisis.
It’s most definitely local. Even though this is all happening thousands of miles away, it is as local as it can be and is impacting us directly. We have relatives and friends caught up in the conflict. Our neighbors are taking to social media to express a side or a point of view. Our local universities are struggling with what to say, and how/when to make a statement. As more of our community members choose sides, we run the risk of dehumanizing our neighbors. Dehumanization leads to more hatred and violence.
This we know is true. We are neighbors. We work together. We break bread together. Our children go to school together. We must recognize the humanity in one another and will continue to fight antisemitism and Islamophobia right here in our own community. Despite our differences, we keep the lines of communication open, and we listen.
Phone a friend. The war is so far away. We feel helpless, not sure what we can do that’s constructive. As communities of faith, we pray for peace. We pray for humanity and an end to the fighting. As individuals, we can reach out to our neighbors who are feeling the pain of this conflict to let them know we’re thinking of them with words of love and support.
Respect for human life is the most basic tenet of all religions. EquaSion, a coalition of 12 world religions, has collected and will post prayers for peace in our monthly email and on our website in the coming days—please visit equasion.org. We call upon all people of faith to employ compassion through action as we pray for and work TOGETHER towards peace AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING HERE AT HOME.
– Board of Directors, EquaSion –
Umama Alam
Tammy Bennett, Esq.
James Buchanan, Ph.D.
Jan Armstrong Cobb
Alfonso Cornejo
Chip Harrod, J.D., Executive Director
Michael W. Hawkins, Esq.
Dan Hoffheimer, Esq.
Sandy Kaltman, Esq.
Aasees Kaur
Inayat K. Malik, M.D.
Raj Manglik, Ph.D.
Evans Nwankwo
Tamara Sullivan