Israel/Palestine

With others, we call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, greatly increased humanitarian aid, and diplomatic negotiations toward a just peace.

Durham Friends Meeting is deeply concerned about the continuing violence in Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East. As Quakers, we believe that we are never called to fight with weapons either for God or country.

We call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the region, and the restoration of humanitarian aid under the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

This is a shared statement between FCNL and seven other Quaker organizations, published April 12, 2024. You can download it here.

For centuries, Quakers have worked for peace. This mission is a practical expression of the nonviolent message of the gospels and the teaching reflected in the many religions around the world: love your neighbor as yourself.

FCNL is deeply concerned that Iran’s recent retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory, following Israel’s unlawful attacks on its diplomatic facility in Syria in early April, will only fuel more war, bloodshed, and regional instability. War is not the answer and another round of retaliation strikes by any party to the conflict will only further inflame the region and drive more violence. 

Amid widespread outrage over Israel’s recent killing of seven international aid workers and the worsening crisis in Gaza, pressure to end military aid to Israel is mounting. The United States has both the power and the responsibility to push the Israeli government to change course. Amid continued inaction from the Biden administration, it is up to Congress to act.

In this exclusive interview for Truthout, two Yemeni peace activists discuss how Yemenis are perceiving the war on Gaza, the Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and U.S.-Yemen relations more broadly.

As the war in Gaza continues into its sixth month, the consequences for civilians have been devastating. More than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the United Nations is warning of imminent famine in Gaza if urgent action is not taken to surge aid deliveries.