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Here are some of the many ways UUs have been calling for peace in the Middle East and resisting antisemitism, anti-Arabism, and Islamophobia in the past year.
October 7, 2023
UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt
Statement Regarding the Conflict Between Israel and Hamas
“Beloveds, I invite you to stop what you are doing if you can and sit with me in the depth of this tragedy. How to reconcile the cost of occupation and of war? How to nuance two very real histories of oppression and violence? I am holding close the words of U.N. Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland who said: ‘This is a dangerous precipice, and I appeal to all to pull back from the brink.’”
October 12, 2023
The UUA and twenty-six other church-based denominations and organizations
“During this time of heightened tension, we implore Congress to refrain from steps that only exacerbate the violence and increase the risk of expanding war into the broader region. Any Congressional effort that is one-sided and rushes to send new weapons to Israel will only intensify the conflict, leading to further deaths and destruction."
October 17, 2023
Unitarian Universalist Association
Statement on the Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza and Israel
“We call on Unitarian Universalists to continue to witness against antisemitism and Islamophobia, and to side with love in this moment by urging their elected officials to leverage the considerable power of the US government to push for an immediate and humane resolution to the crisis in Gaza, including total cease-fire, humanitarian aid access, and rescinding the evacuation order.”
November 6, 2023
Sponsored by the UUA, hosted by Muslim and Jewish UU professionals
“Why We Cannot Turn Away: Resources for UU Leaders Engaging on Israel & Palestine”
Experts at this webinar spoke about the decades of UU engagement on these issues, reflecting on the many-layered history of the region, exploring the complexities of Islamophobia and antisemitism, and faithful responses to the ongoing violence.
February 14, 2024
UUA Administration and senior national staff in consultation with previous resolutions, statements, and actions passed by the General Assembly
UUA Condemns Violence Against Gaza, Urges Immediate and Total Ceasefire
“This terrifying moment calls all people of faith and conscience to do everything in our power to push our governments to interrupt genocide, address humanitarian crisis, avert multinational war, and weave just and lasting peace across the globe.”
May 2, 2024
UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, Starr King School for the Ministry President Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, Meadville Lombard Theological School President Dr. Elías Ortega
UU Academics Condemn Violent Repression of Student Movements
“[W]e feel compelled to unequivocally condemn the rapidly escalating violent repression of pro-Palestinian, anti-war student movements on college campuses across the United States and affirm their right to peacefully protest.”
June 22, 2024
Unitarian Universalists: Delegates to the UUA General Assembly
Responsive Resolution, “UUA General Assembly Support for October 7 Hostages”
GA delegates affirmed this resolution, which calls for the immediate release of all Hamas-held hostages and acknowledges “the real suffering of Jews within our Association and beyond.”
Action of Immediate Witness: “Solidarity with Palestinians”
This statement affirmed by a vote of GA delegates calls on UUs to be in solidarity by engaging in witnessing, educating, organizing, and advocating based on the guidance of Palestinian and impacted partner organizations and encouraging the UUA and UU groups to sign, amplify, and carry out the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge, which already had the support of Black Lives of UU, the UU Service Committee, the UU College of Social Justice, and UUs for Justice in the Middle East.