Joint Statement Against Violence in the Holy Land

We strongly oppose and are devastated by the ongoing violence in the most sacred and historic land to all Abrahamic faiths.

We have spent two grueling weeks watching the violence in Gaza and Israel with heartache and grief. Gaza is a densely populated open-air concentration camp where travel to the outside world is highly restricted or impossible. The death of 243 Palestinians and more than 2,000 injured is too much to bear for individuals who have already lost so much over the past 73 years. We also oppose the targeting of several hospitals, the only COVID testing center, a rehabilitation center for children, and the offices of news organizations by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The death of 12 Israeli civilians by indiscriminate rocket attacks launched by Hamas on residential neighborhoods is ethically reprehensible and cannot be justified or condoned in any way.

As we get some temporary relief over the fragile cease-fire, our hearts ache again over the heavy-handed actions of the IDF against Masjid Al-Aqsa demonstrators on Friday. Desecration of religious sites are unjustifiable and should not be tolerated abroad or at home.

Since 1948, Palestinians have endured targeted violence, ethnic cleansing, dehumanizing treatment, killing of unarmed civilians, home demolitions, and forced evictions perpetrated by illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli based NGO (B’Tselem1), Human Rights Watch2, European Union3, United Nations (resolutions 4464, 4525, 4656, 4717 and 4768), United Nations Security Council (resolution 23349), and the foreign policy of several countries including Canada and England declare that Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories are in direct violation of international law and are completely illegal.

Witnessing decades of injustice can leave one feeling powerless and hopeless. However, on an individual level, we can each take actions to aid Palestinians. We can donate to notable non-profit organizations on the ground in Palestine to help with medical care, food, water, and housing. We can lobby our elected representatives to advocate a more balanced approach by the United States in that region. We can also raise awareness by engaging in friendly conversations with our fellow Utahns. Most importantly, we must make Duʿāʾ(supplication) to Allah (Glorified And Exalted Is He) to bring peace and prosperity to our Palestinian sisters and brothers.

It is heartbreaking for all followers of Abrahamic faiths to witness bloodshed in a land where the greatest of Prophets have once walked and preached peace and unity. Unfortunately, this conflict has increased Antisemitism and Islamophobia here at home. We must unequivocally stand against Antisemitism and Islamophobia and commit to a future of peaceful coexistence, justice, and equality for all.

  • Al-Huda Islamic Center
  • Emerald Hills Institute
  • Madina Islamic Center of Utah
  • Muslim Community Center
  • Islamic Center of Kuwait in Utah
  • Islamic Society of Bosniaks
  • Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake
  • Islamic Society of Layton
  • Utah Muslim Civic League
  • Utah Valley Islamic Center

1B’Tselem. “A Regime of Jewish Supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: This Is Apartheid.” Www.Btselem.Org, B’Tselem, 12 Jan. 2021, www.btselem.org/sites/default/files/publications/202101_this_is_apartheid_eng.pdf.

2Goldstein, Eric. “Say Israel Is Committing Apartheid? It’s Not a Decision We Reached Lightly.” Www.Hrw.Org, The Forward, 27 Apr. 2021, www.hrw.org/news/2021/04/27/say-israel-committing-apartheid-its-not-decision-we-reached-lightly.

3Reuters. “EU Says Israeli Settlement on Palestinian Territory Is Illegal.” Www.Reuters.Com, Reuters, 18 Nov. 2019, www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-usa-eu/eu-says-israeli-settlement-on-palestinian-territory-is-illegal-idUSKBN1XS2IL.

4United Nations. “Resolution 446.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 22 Mar. 1979, https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/BA123CDED3EA84A5852560E50077C2DC.

5United Nations. “Resolution 452.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 20 July 1979, https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/db942872b9eae454852560f6005a76fb/0b7116abb4b7e3e9852560e5007688a0.

6United Nations. “Resolution 465.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 1 Mar. 1980, https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/5AA254A1C8F8B1CB852560E50075D7D5.

7United Nations. “Resolution 471.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 5 May. 1980, https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/5ba47a5c6cef541b802563e000493b8c/aa73b02d9b0d8fdc852560e50074cc33?OpenDocument.

8United Nations. “Resolution 476.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 30 June 1980, https://unispal.un.org/DPA/DPR/unispal.nsf/0/6DE6DA8A650B4C3B852560DF00663826.

9United Nations Security Council. “Resolution 2334.” Www.Undocs.Org, United Nations, 22 Dec 2016, https://undocs.org/S/RES/2334(2016).

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