As Quakers, we seek to abolish all wars and the causes of wars.  We feel a deep and profound grief for the people of Palestine, who are being subjected to a daily and furious assault from bombing, and for the deaths and suffering of the many Israelis and Palestinians resulting from Hamas’ attack of October 7, 2023 and the Israeli government’s response to that attack.

The Israeli government has directed the bombing of Palestinian schools, hospitals, offices, and refugee camps, destroying 80% of the desalination plants and much of the farmland.  These actions have caused most of the population to be without food or water, resulting in death by starvation as well as by the bombing.  These Israeli actions are in violation of international law and basic human rights and dignity.

From 1933 to 1945, the Nazi Party tried to eliminate the Jews.  We called that genocide.  The current offensive against the Palestinian people continues and amplifies a pattern of military violence that has resulted in the deaths, displacement, and detainment of many thousands of Palestinians.  We call this genocide.

The weapons being used to kill Palestinians are manufactured in the U.S. and the U.S. government is fully supporting Israel.  This makes all Americans complicit in this genocide.  Although there is a significant movement for peace in Israel, the Israeli government under Netanyahu has refused or undermined all efforts for a ceasefire.

We call for an immediate end of weapons sales to Israel.  We call for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of unrestricted humanitarian aid: food, water, shelter, and medical care.  We call for the recognition of the human and civil rights of the Palestinian people.  We support the work of the Israelis and Palestinians seeking a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflicts leading to this war.

Approved, Wilderness Friends Meeting, July 20, 2025

(based on work of the Putney Friends Monthly Meeting)