Endorse the statement

Read the statement

Please reach out to friends@afsc.org with any questions.

Dear Friends,

We invite you to read, reflect on, and respond to Quakers discern genocide is occurring in Gaza and urge courageous action. This vital statement follows extensive discernment within and between our eight global Quaker organizations. In a time of grave concern, we came to unity on the need to witness publicly for an end to violence, including the violence of forced starvation, and the resumption of work to build peace and equality in Palestine and Israel.

We ask Friends to consider endorsing our statement. For many meetings and churches this may be an opportunity to engage with integrity in discerning your understanding of our testimonies and your commitment to witness. We rejoice together in the call to faithfulness, continuing in acts of solidarity until genocide ends and peace prevails.

In Spirit,

American Friends Service Committee
Canadian Friends Service Committee
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Friends World Committee for Consultation
Quakers in Britain/ Quaker Peace and Social Witness
Quaker Council on European Affairs
Quaker Service Norway
Quaker United Nations Office

A few tools for your discernment

Queries

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 and/or anti-Zionism 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 the truth 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?

Background information

Following are some resources that may assist Friends in their discernment.