Friends are called to help build a foundation for world peace. This great undertaking depends on a global framework of law, justice, human rights, and nonviolent social change. It also demands we look at the root causes of problems today.
Since the U.S.-backed overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mossadegh in 1952, our nation’s reliance on regime change and militarized approaches to Middle East policy has contributed to growing political instability throughout the region.
The “War on Terror” policies and the 2003 invasion of Iraq have inflicted large-scale violence and unleashed sectarian tensions. Excessive military responses to the region have prompted push back to the U.S. presence in the region, threatening the safety of our troops.
Quakers have worked for more than a century to support peace in the Middle East.
Quakers have worked for more than a century to support peace in the Middle East. FCNL’s advocacy for more peaceful U.S. policies toward Israel-Palestine and Iran, for diplomatic solutions to conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, and humanitarian support for the region’s people continue that tradition. But more work needs to be done.
Unconditional U.S. military support for Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and the war in Gaza is exacerbating tensions in the region, with escalation into neighboring countries increasing. The dire outcomes of the conflict, including the loss of tens of thousands of Palestinian lives, the unresolved hostage crisis, and a catastrophic humanitarian fallout in Gaza are alarming. They underscore the urgent need for the United States to prioritize peace over warfare.
The United States’ 2018 withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal and subsequent “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran have also increased tensions throughout the Middle East. Additionally, the use of sanctions has emboldened and assisted the rise of anti-American hardliners while making life increasingly difficult for ordinary civilians. The January 2020 assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani only deteriorated the situation further.
The United States must practice greater military restraint, increase humanitarian efforts, and implement compassionate policies that help, rather than hurt, prospects for peace and security in the Middle East and with Iran. Congress must push for restraint and reaffirm the importance of adhering to both U.S. and international law.
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