As a neighborhood Jewish chaplain, I’ve been heartbroken by the brutal Oct. 7 assault and Israel’s devastating retaliation since then. As a former member of the Jewish Group Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Larger Seattle, I’ve additionally been disillusioned by the ethical failure of many Jewish establishments and neighborhood leaders to name for a cease-fire, even because the humanitarian disaster worsens in Gaza.
Lately, Seattle handed a resolution that made us the biggest U.S. metropolis to help a long-term cease-fire in Israel and Gaza. It additionally included calls to return the hostages, ship humanitarian assist to Gaza and fight antisemitism and Islamophobia. But The Seattle Occasions editorial board criticized the resolution [“Before weighing in on war, local officials must hear all voices,” Nov. 27, Opinion] after chatting with JCRC Director Max Patashnik.
Patashnik stated the JCRC opposed the amended decision — and launched a communitywide marketing campaign in opposition to it — as a result of the group was not included within the course of, saying it was “about us with out us.” However that’s not a good characterization. After Councilmember Kshama Sawant launched her revised decision on Nov. 16, the JCRC was notified of an modification on Nov. 17, and was despatched a replica for enter the following enterprise day. This occurred regardless of the group’s unequivocal help for Israeli motion and alignment with a coalition that views a cease-fire as capitulating to Hamas and denying Israel’s proper to self-defense.
Regardless, this decision additionally doesn’t simply have interaction American Jewish issues but additionally the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians instantly in hurt’s method. So the JCRC not being included sufficient within the preliminary drafting course of shouldn’t deter anybody’s help for the morally pressing decision, even the JCRC, which claims no objection in substance and whose priorities of hostage launch and combating antisemitism had been included. It simply didn’t conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism, as maybe they might need — and as is occurring with a controversial bill earlier than Congress proper now.
The JCRC doesn’t totally characterize the variety of our native Jewish neighborhood. Jews have been displaying up for weeks by the lots of — together with some members of the organizations comprising the JCRC — to take part on-line, within the streets, and in places of work of elected leaders saying “not in our identify.” Whereas recurrently dismissed as fringe by institutional energy, these within the minority usually bend the ethical arc of the universe towards justice, as described by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., earlier than institutional help emerges.
I’m proud our Metropolis Council listened. Not solely is it the fundamental and ethical factor to do, it’s also in the very best pursuits of all. A cease-fire would shield the hostages whose lives are endangered by continued bombardment and permit for levelheaded negotiations to safe their pressing launch. It might shield the remaining Palestinian civilians who haven’t any secure harbor as their hospitals, colleges, refugee camps, and neighborhoods are destroyed indiscriminately by what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as “mighty vengeance.” It might shield long-term security for all by shifting from military to political options that now not search to commerce Palestinian lives for Israel’s safety. And it upholds international human rights law, below which collective punishment is against the law, even in response to a battle crime just like the Oct. 7 assault.
We must always every add our voice to the pressing and rising requires a cease-fire, echoing Israeli voices including many family members of the hostages. This may be accomplished by contacting your members of Congress and signing onto the Washington Solidarity Statement that guided the asks of Seattle’s amended decision.
On this time of profound ache, allow us to keep in mind our liberation is tied collectively: Our tears move collectively, our hearts are certain collectively, and we should elevate our voices collectively to take care of the humanity of all — and applaud our leaders after they achieve this.
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