Elizabeth Walters: Voices for peace
Due to helpful coverage by the Monroe News and other media sources, concerned members of the Monroe community have been actively discussing our nation’s response to the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza, as well as our responsibility toward the humanitarian needs of those trapped in Gaza during the ongoing war.
I lived in Rafah, Gaza for three summers, 20-plus years ago, at a time when the Israeli military and Israeli settlers were in Gaza. Our mission was to be a nonviolent peace team presence, actively helping to keep both Palestinians and Israelis out of harm’s way in situations of violence. My experiences in Gaza, life-long friendships with Jewish and Palestinian people, steadfast presence at the gates of Gaza, and ongoing study lead me to write this column.
Here in Monroe people care about others. We yearn for peace in a time of war and division in the Holy Land and in Ukraine. Most recently, the attack on Israel and the war in Gaza have been, especially heartbreaking. Our hearts cry out for Jews around the planet and in Israel, the hostages and their families, and for Palestinians.
In response to the horrific Hamas attack on Oct. 7 which left 1,200 Israelis civilians dead, and 240 Israeli kidnapped, the Israeli government made the decision to go to war with Hamas.
These are latest estimates of Palestinian casualties: As of April 10, the death toll in Gaza stands at 33,482 people. Among these casualties more than 13,000 are children and over 8,400 are women. There are also more than 76,049 people injured and over 8,000 missing. The hostage situation is also critical. Over 100 Israeli hostages are still in captivity. They and their families are awaiting their release. It is important for us to remember that behind these numbers are individuals and families with their own stories, hopes, and dreams.
In conversations, I respectfully promote these five actions:
Call for ceasefire, diplomacy, and a peace plan.
During the first ceasefire an agreed number of Israeli and foreign hostages were reunited with their families, Palestinian prisoners were released, and people in Gaza had a respite from bombings as well as more access to crucial humanitarian aid. It was the art of diplomacy that achieved these breakthroughs. Diplomacy is the path to peace!
Support the need for humanitarian aid.
Over 2.3 million Palestinians are prohibited from fleeing. They are trapped in Gaza, which is 25 mile long and 3.5 to 7 miles wide strip of land. Palestinian civilians are suffering and dying from bombs, starvation, dehydration, preventable diseases, and infection.
The situation in Gaza demands urgent humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate suffering, and ensure basic necessities for a population in need.
Adhere to your core beliefs and basic principles.
Refuse to participate in binary thinking or frameworks.
The Israel-Hamas war is far from a simple binary. It is a multifaceted struggle with deep-rooted historical, cultural, and political dimensions. By transcending binary thinking, we can foster empathy, engage in meaningful dialogue, and work toward a more peaceful resolution — one that recognizes humanity on both sides of the divide.
Support peace efforts that address the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This war and the on-going conflict spanning 75 years has failed to address root causes. While the 1947 United Nations resolution partitioned Palestine into Jewish and Arab territories, it overlooked Palestinian human rights and dignity. For generations, Palestinians have suffered displacement and loss of homes and land. The situation worsened with Israel’s 56-year military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. It becomes even more problematic as large numbers of settlers continue to move to Israel/Palestine and seize additional Palestinian homes and land.
Adhere to the principles of the law of war.
Use only military necessity, avoid unnecessary human suffering, distinguish between enemies and civilians, use proportionality and honor.
I hope these ideas help.
— Sr. Elizabeth Walters is an IHM Sister and member of the Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in promoting and supporting the common good.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Elizabeth Walters: Voices for peace
