“We grieve the lives of those already lost and remain committed to a future where every life is precious, and all people live in freedom and safety.”  Jewish Voice for Peace

Violence in Palestine has once again reached the threshold where the world takes notice: unusually, this time Hamas has taken the initiative, and will be vilified as the responsible party by the media and politicians.

We want to remind our readers that living conditions in Gaza have become utterly intolerable, while the murder of Palestinians and the plundering of their land continues across the country, amid triumphalist assertions of Jewish supremacy at the Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem. For decades the wider international community has been indifferent to Palestinian suffering, and protective of their oppressors. The surprise actions by Hamas need to be seen within this context.

While the situation in Palestine is still in flux, we are fully aware that a massive onslaught on Gaza is happening now, as Israel declares itself ‘at war’. The people of Gaza have already endured sixteen years of blockade, at least six major military actions and our hearts are with them as they brace themselves for further attack.

Many of us have personal links with people living in Gaza, the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, and ‘48/Israel, and we want to take this opportunity to express our love and solidarity.

We commend to you these statements issued by:

The UK-based Jewish Voice for Labour
https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/statement/for-they-have-sown-the-wind-and-they-shall-reap-the-whirlwind/

and the US-based Jewish Voice for Peace:
https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2023/10/statement23-10-07/