Stony Run considers endorsement of AFSC statement on genocide in Gaza
At our Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business on First Day, September 7, our Peace and Justice Committee presented a statement from the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) titled "Quakers Discern That Genocide is Occurring in Gaza and Urge Courageous Action" for the Meeting's review. The Peace and Justice Committee is hoping that Stony Run Meeting can come to unity and endorse this statement from AFSC.
The introduction of the document gives a preview of the intentions of the statement, and is quoted below:
"We are for justice and mercy and truth and peace and true freedom."
— Edward Burrough, 1659
As Quakers, we recognize the divine imprint in every human being and confess the equality of all to live safely and without fear.
We are also compelled as Quakers to speak truth with integrity, including where it is uncomfortable, yet always to do so in love. This requires us to speak against the catastrophic violence in Gaza.
Friends have a long history of working for peaceful coexistence and justice for all people in the Middle East. We have witnessed times when Jews, Muslims, and Christians have enjoyed peace and cooperation in the region. Since the creation of the state of Israel, our organizations have supported nonviolent efforts among both Palestinians and Israelis to protect human rights, prevent violence, address the root causes of conflict, and promote peacebuilding. We still believe a peaceful future for all peoples is possible.
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After deep communal and prayerful discernment, informed by our direct witness in Palestine/Israel and our readings of the positions of international human rights organizations, international and Israeli genocide scholars, and experts on the UN Genocide Convention (1948), we are exercising our religious conviction to speak the truth as we see it. We believe with moral clarity, and in line with the definition of the crime of genocide, that the current actions in Gaza perpetrated by the Israeli government, constitute genocide.
Our peace and equality testimonies are clear: Apparent security for some, bought with the insecurity of others, tears at our shared humanity and cannot bring peace. Peace built on systematic oppression is a lie. We name what we see as genocide after deep discernment – not to incite, but to open eyes, minds, and hearts. We name this painful truth with the fervent hope that the violence it describes will cease, and with continued commitment to help heal the wounds of war on all sides.
This is a lengthy document, so please take the time to review it before we consider its endorsement - at a future Meeting for Business or Threshing session. The full text of the statement can be found on the AFSC website and can be downloaded here. As you reflect on this statement, AFSC has provided some tools, queries, and background to guide our discernment. Those queries follow:
- How might friends "advocate relentlessly" for the end of suffering, while also centering Palestinian lived experiences? What stands in our way from becoming advocates? What do we need to engage more voices that can join our work for mercy, justice, peace, and freedom?
- In what ways might Quaker communities be unintentionally complicit in how their governments support Israel's military campaigns? What actions will Friends take to divest from Israeli occupation, apartheid, and genocide? How insistent will Friends be in asserting that Palestinian lives matter?
- A key point in this statement is that criticism of Israel's military and government should not be misunderstood as antisemitism. Falsely equating support for Palestinian rights with antisemitism is a tool of propaganda used to obfuscate Israel's responsibility to uphold human rights and adhere to international law. How will Friends show the world that defending the rights, safety, and dignity of Palestinians does not inherently interfere with a commitment among Friends to demonstrate love and compassion for Jewish people?
- Friends have historically identified and publicly denounced state-sanctioned violence ahead of other religious groups. How does speaking out about Israel's violent campaigns against the Palestinian people align with Quaker beliefs and values?
- What role can Quakers play in ensuring the right to protest and free speech is protected in our communities? How can we help protect those who are silenced and harassed? How might we engage with those who feel threatened by passionate voices?
We look forward to hearing your voice in further conversation. If you have questions or would like to speak to a member of the Peace and Justice Committee, please contact either Maria Brown or Doug Vaughn.