Quakers urge recognition of Palestine
Amid faltering ceasefires and talks, Quakers in Britain are calling for
urgent action on Gaza. They urge the UK Government to recognise Palestine as a
nation state; they call for a comprehensive arms embargo on all sides in the
conflict and for an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza and occupation of
Palestine.
The calls for action come in a statement made by the decision
making body of Quakers in Britain, the Yearly Meeting, attended by 2,000
Quakers in Bath. As part of their commitment to peacemaking, Quakers
continue to challenge anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
The Yearly Meeting heard essential steps towards full and fair negotiations:
Palestine to be recognised as a nation state
An end to indiscriminate fire by all sides
A comprehensive arms embargo
An end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and blockade of Gaza
Freeing elected Palestinian leaders now held as political prisoners
The use of international law to hold all parties to account for their actions.
The Yearly Meeting heard that this week that Quakers were invited to meet Foreign Office ministers on the crisis. Teresa Parker, programme manager for Israel and Palestine for Quakers in Britain, was among representatives from faith and secular agencies who went to share views and experience of the region.
A key motivation for Yearly Meeting is valuing all life. The Yearly Meeting statement says:
“As we among other Nobel Peace Laureates have said, ‘The conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis will only be
resolved when Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory is ended and the inherent equality, worth, and dignity of all is realised.’ Peacebuilding is a long and demanding path to take… We long for – and will work for – a time when the fear experienced on all sides is replaced by a sense of security.”
Amid faltering ceasefires and talks, Quakers in Britain are calling for
urgent action on Gaza. They urge the UK Government to recognise Palestine as a
nation state; they call for a comprehensive arms embargo on all sides in the
conflict and for an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza and occupation of
Palestine.
The calls for action come in a statement made by the decision
making body of Quakers in Britain, the Yearly Meeting, attended by 2,000
Quakers in Bath. As part of their commitment to peacemaking, Quakers
continue to challenge anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
The Yearly Meeting heard essential steps towards full and fair negotiations:
Palestine to be recognised as a nation state
An end to indiscriminate fire by all sides
A comprehensive arms embargo
An end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and blockade of Gaza
Freeing elected Palestinian leaders now held as political prisoners
The use of international law to hold all parties to account for their actions.
The Yearly Meeting heard that this week that Quakers were invited to meet Foreign Office ministers on the crisis. Teresa Parker, programme manager for Israel and Palestine for Quakers in Britain, was among representatives from faith and secular agencies who went to share views and experience of the region.
A key motivation for Yearly Meeting is valuing all life. The Yearly Meeting statement says:
“As we among other Nobel Peace Laureates have said, ‘The conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis will only be
resolved when Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory is ended and the inherent equality, worth, and dignity of all is realised.’ Peacebuilding is a long and demanding path to take… We long for – and will work for – a time when the fear experienced on all sides is replaced by a sense of security.”