In the face of rising tensions and violence both locally and globally, we, Wrightstown Friends Meeting, reaffirm our commitment to the principles of peace, goodwill, tolerance, equality, and community. The recent upheavals in the Middle East have exacerbated ancient hostilities, leading to disturbing acts of violence and hateful rhetoric, particularly towards Jewish and Muslim communities.
We condemn these actions and the bigotry that fuels them which transcend antisemitism and Islamophobia. We stand in solidarity with all marginalized groups, including immigrants, communities of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community, who face ongoing threats to their freedoms and rights.
We believe unequivocally that war and retaliation are not solutions. Meeting violence with violence, or countering injustice with further injustice, is both morally wrong and ineffective for conflict resolution.
In this critical hour, we urge all individuals of conscience to actively offer their support to those in jeopardy. Let us unite to provide comfort and strength, striving to be beacons of hope and agents of change in these challenging times.
Jeffrey Cogshall is the clerk of the Wrightstown Friends Meeting’s board of trustees. This opinion was written on behalf of the entire board.
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