Social Justice Team’s Call for a Ceasefire in Gaza and Peace and Lasting Justice in Israel/Palestine

May the guns and bombs be stilled.
May food, water, health and medical supplies and services resume.
May essential shelter be built.
May the anguish and pain of all who are suffering in this conflict,
Israeli and Palestinian, be met by renewed efforts
for a just and lasting peace.

The above statement was written by members of the congregation who took part in the Middle East Listening Circle on Tuesday [March 26, 2024] and who asked that a candle be lit for the people of Gaza, and that a moment for silent reflection be held on March 31, 2024.

The Social Justice Team endorses this statement and wishes to inform Vancouver Unitarians (VanU) members of the recent statement by the Canadian Unitarian Council and the actions it is proposing. Please read the full CUC statement here.

VanU members interested in joining fellow members in planning actions directed at calling for a ceasefire and supporting those suffering, please contact Nancy Barker at neb2525[at]gmail[dot]com or Michael Clague at Michael[at]clagueconsultants[dot]com or Yvonne Marcus at yvonnemarcus[at]gmail[dot]com

Excerpts from CUC March 16, 2024 statement:

“The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) and Unitarian Universalist Ministers of Canada (UUMOC) are calling on the State of Israel and on Hamas to agree to a permanent ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages. We call on Canada’s government to stop supplying weapons and instead advocate for a lasting peace with self-determination, civil, religious, and political rights as a foundation.”

“We uphold the decision of the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered the State of Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent killing, or causing serious bodily or mental harm, to Palestinians; to stop inflicting actions intended to bring about the destruction of Palestinians; to prevent and to punish the public incitement to commit genocide; and to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid in Gaza.”

“In addition to calling for a ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and continued humanitarian aid, we urge Canadian Unitarian Universalists to write to their Members of Parliament. We also encourage you to support the efforts of faith-based, non-governmental, and/or humanitarian organizations working at the local level to bring peace, stability, and aid to Gaza and other regions impacted by war.”

The Social Justice Team’s Call for a Ceasefire in Gaza and Peace and Lasting Justice in Israel/Palestine is in service of the VanU Vision and Principles, namely, our Vision states that: “our Unitarian community has served the greater Vancouver area through advocacy for peace, social justice, civil rights, environmental stewardship;” the First Principle of VanU calls on us to affirm and promote “The inherent worth and dignity of every person;” the Second Principle of VanU calls on us to affirm and promote “Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;” the Sixth Principle of VanU calls on us to affirm and promote “The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;” and the Eighth Principle of VanU calls on us to affirm and promote “Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions.”

Image credit: Brett Wharton / Unsplash