Posted: Nov. 9, 2023
Like so many people, our hearts are breaking over the violence playing out in the Holy Land -- and here at home.
Far too many innocent people in both Gaza and Israel have been killed as a result of the terrorist attack by Hamas and the subsequent military response by the Israeli government. As followers of the Prince of Peace, we're praying for a quick, just resolution that will allow all families in the region to live without fear of violence, hunger, or displacement.
Sadly, the war in the Middle East is also having a painful impact on the lives of Jewish, Muslim, and Arab Americans as well.
Identity-based hatred -- including racism, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim bigotry -- has increased dramatically over the past three weeks: A 216% increase in reports of bias incidents against American Muslims and a 388% surge in antisemitic incidents, numbers that were already at historically high levels even before the current war.
From the stabbing death of a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy near Chicago and multiple attacks on women wearing hijabs, to bomb threats at synagogues and the beating death of an elderly Jewish man at a Los Angeles protest, the growing violence is causing even more Americans to live in fear.
No one should be subjected to violence because of who they are, where they're from, or who they worship. And as Christians, we have a special duty to speak out: Far too often throughout history, it's been members of our own faith who twisted religion to stoke this hatred. Let's speak out now to make it clear that identity-based hatred is never acceptable, and that we support our Arab-American, Muslim, and Jewish neighbors.
Sign the petition:
Love thy neighbor.