Shun violence but recognize humanity in all every day

years, there has been a legitimate push within the United States to tackle the ongoing problem of police-citizen encounters that have ended tragically for many African Americans. We recognize here in the United States that we cannot have a paramilitary police force and expect citizens to not fear their own police, especially those who are the most vulnerable. In Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinian youth similarly fear and distrust the IDF soldiers who encircle them or move among them.

Egyptian and Israeli authorities sharply restrict entry and exit of goods to and from Gaza, effectively cutting it off from the outside world. Israel’s own former intelligence chief has called Gaza an open air prison. West Bank Palestinian residents fare little better — living under a two-tier justice system in which Israel retains control over all major aspects of life, resulting in restriction of movement, routine violent attacks by Israeli settlers, and destruction of homes. All major human rights organizations have called out this system of oppression — including Israeli ones. Yet few have listened.

Violence will almost always be met with violence. Whether one starts the video when Hamas strikes at Israel or we start the video when Israel strikes at Hamas, it ends with mass destruction and many injured and dead civilians. Thus far, Israel’s response has already resulted in the destruction of the 3rd oldest church in the world (saint Prophyruius orthodox church), four mosques, killing of 413 Palestinians, including 78 children, and 2,300 wounded since Saturday. The Israeli defense minister has called Palestinians ‘human animals’, threatening to cut off all food, electricity and fuel to 2 million people.

We — the world — have failed to address the root cause of this conflict — the ongoing occupation and subjugation of the Palestinian people. Israeli and Palestinian leaders have failed. Arab governments in the region have failed. The US has failed. And innocent Palestinian and Israelis pay the price for our collective failure.

A solution must be found that establishes dignity and equality for all in this land — Jewish, Christian, and Muslim. We pray for this, and pray for peace.

Samir Kakli is president, SFL Muslim Federation; Imam Azhar Subedar is development director, SFL Muslim Federation.