Thursday, November 7, 2024:
A Call for Peace in Palestine:
Dear Sisters and Brothers of Emmaus and beyond: I found this letter to Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland very inspiring as it was signed by many different leaders of many different faiths.
The title of the letter is: Clergy and faith leaders in support of Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block weapons shipment to Israel
Nov 1, 2024
Dear Senator Chris Van Hollen,
We write to you as Maryland clergy, faith leaders, and religious and spiritual teachers of diverse traditions. We are Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and more. We are united to ask you to work towards ending ongoing calamitous violence against Palestinians in Gaza by co-sponsoring and voting for the six Joint Resolutions of Disapproval in the Senate to block a future $20 billion weapons package to Israel.
All of our faiths teach us that all human life is sacred. Over the past year the Israeli government has attacked an entire society and obliterated entire generations of Palestinian families with U.S. support and weapons. This indiscriminate assault has annihilated schools, mosques, churches, homes, universities, refugee camps, and Gaza’s entire health care system. The whole population of Gaza has been assaulted, terrorized, and displaced. This is a desecration of human life. Since October 7th of last year, so many lives have been lost in Palestine and Israel. We grieve deeply for every life lost, and know that safety for everyone living in the region can only come when Palestinians are free.
By allowing Israel to access an unlimited unconditional supply of weapons from the U.S., our country encourages pervasive violence. In recent weeks Israel has escalated violence, extending into Lebanon and Iran, as well as North Gaza, where ethnic cleansing and extermination campaigns have intensified. Reports are of the Israeli military lining up men and boys and marching them away, all humanitarian aid barred, and mass starvation, cut off from the outside world. Palestinian families are forced to flee again and again, only for bombs to fall on the last refuges they can find. This is an abomination, and it cannot stand.
Our roles compel us to offer counsel in times of crisis. This is a time of utter peril and emergency. When this cataclysmic campaign of dehumanization and genocide can be waged upon Palestinian society with the support and encouragement of global powers, no people are truly safe. It is past time for all people of conscience and of responsibility to say: Enough.
Our faith traditions are clear: every human being deserves freedom, safety, justice, equality, and dignity. The paths of brutality the U.S. is supporting with weapons cannot lead us to this destination. To change course, the U.S. must stop the flow of its weapons to Israel.
Senator, we have appreciated your past advocacy for human rights, humanitarian aid, and basic decency. We now need you to support the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval introduced by Senators Sanders, Welch, Merkley, and Schatz. So many lives can still be saved, there is no time to waste.
Here's the link to the original letter:
All affiliations listed for identification purposes only
Rabbi Ariana Katz, Hinenu Baltimore synagogue
Imam Yaseen Shaikh, Islamic Society of Baltimore
Imam Haris Qudsi, Islamic Center of Owings Mills
Fr. Joe Muth, Chaplain, Notre Dame of Maryland University
Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III, Baltimore, Founder and Director, Black Church Food Security Network
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, Bethesda, Senior Minister, Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Advisory Board Member, Hindus for Human Rights
Ayesha Ali, Baltimore, Founder, Heartwidth Mindfulness Community
Fr. Ty Hullinger, Transfiguration Catholic Community, Baltimore
Pastor Arthur Stewart, North Baltimore Mennonite Church
Imam Ayman Nassar, Howard County, Islamic Leadership Institute of America
Imam Tarif Shraim, Muslim Chaplain, University of Maryland College Park
Windy Cooler, Embraced Quaker Public Minister, Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting
Sabir Rahman, Silver Spring, Muslim Community Center
Rev. Cynthia Lapp, Hyattsville Mennonite Church
Rev. David Yost, Elkridge, Pastor, Arnolia United Methodist Church
Rev. Chris Schaefer, pastor, Divinity Lutheran Church
Hosam Shabara, Germantown, Imam, The Noor Center
Rev. Clare L. Petersberger, The Towson Unitarian Universalist Church
Khalil Elshazly, President, Islamic Society of Frederick
Ruth K. Clemens, Director, Reservoir Hill House of Peace
Sarah Gillooly, Takoma Park, General Secretary, Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Imam Sami Zaharna, Muslim Family Center, Columbia
Imam Suhaib Webb, Montgomery County
Rev. Emily Scott, Pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Baltimore
The Rev. Steve Holt, Rector, Church of the Guardian Angel, Baltimore
Rev. Carol Lynn Cook, Retired, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Mary Ann Laws, Soul Sister, Harford County
Arthur Karpas, clerk, Adelphi Friends Meeting (Quaker)
The Rev. Dr. Kelly M. Sisson, Pastor, First and St. Stephen's United Church of Christ
Rev. Alex Vishio, Theologian-at-Large, First & St. Stephen’s UCC
Rev. Julia A. Fritts, Associate Rector, Church of the Good Shepherd, Baltimore
Eli McCarthy, Ph.D., Just Peace Fellow, Franciscan Action Network
Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat, Al-Basheer Seminary
Kali Boehle-Silva, Clerk of Peace & Social Concerns Committee, Adelphi Friends Meeting (Quaker), Prince George’s County
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