Hands of Peace Reacts to Gaza
Because of the crisis in Gaza, the Board of Directors of Hands of Peace feels compelled to communicate our reaction. Hands of Peace is a unique, interfaith program which brings American, Israeli, and Palestinian teenagers to the Glenview, Illinois area for two weeks of dialogue each summer with year-round follow-up meetings.
Global Ministries recieved this statement from Hands of Peace, a program of peacemaking in the Chicago area that we have supported through One Great Hour of Sharing. Learn more at 
Hands of Peace website.
Because of the crisis in Gaza, the Board of Directors of Hands of Peace feels compelled to communicate our reaction. Hands of Peace is a unique, interfaith program which brings American, Israeli, and Palestinian teenagers to the Glenview, Illinois area for two weeks of dialogue each summer with year-round follow-up meetings.
Our goal is to encourage peaceful coexistence and non-violent conflict resolution. We believe that it is possible to be pro-Israeli, pro-Palestinianand pro-peace all at the same time – these are not mutually exclusive.
We have watched with great concern and sorrow as the crisis has unfolded in Gaza and southern Israel over the past few weeks. We mourn the loss of life and the harm being done on both sides. Recent communications between our Hands of Peace teens through our on-line “list serve” have been heart breaking. They are struggling to maintain the progress they made together in breaking down barriers and recognizing each other’s humanity, regardless of national identity, religion and political views. The current Gaza crisis is making this effort more difficult and some are losing hope for a brighter, more peaceful future. Hands of Peace will continue to do all we can to support these courageous young peacemakers. We urge all who support the concept of peaceful coexistence and justice to join us in urging our country’s leaders to intercede to establish an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
We do not condone Hamas’ missile attacks upon southern Israel and we understand Israel’s obligation to protect its citizens. However, we believe Israel’s current military action will ultimately leave Israel more vulnerable than before. This now familiar sequence of escalating mutual hostility, invasion and withdrawal without security arrangements has failed in the past (in Lebanon, the West Bank, and in Gaza) and we do not believe it will promote a peaceful resolution now. The United States and the international community must intercedeto help establish a ceasefire, put an end to rocket attacks on Israel, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Further, we call on President Bush and President-elect Obama to assert U.S. leadership to achieve a comprehensive diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflicts. We encourage the new administration to support both Israelis and Palestinians by offering United States support in mediating a negotiated peace settlement.
Hands of Peace Board Of Directors – Laura Bernstein, Rev. Stanley Davis Jr., Debby Fosdick (Chair), Gretchen Grad (Founder), Shakeela Hassan, M.D., Ismail Hummos, Jane Hund, Oscar Marquis Esq., Dr. Ron Miller, Rabbi Brant Rosen, Tom Rosenberg Esq., Joanna Sullivan, Jim Tatsuda and Julie Kanak (Executive Director)