Originally posted Nov. 9, 2023

We call for a ceasefire. At UU Mass Action our heartbreak continues as suffering, tragedy, and pain persists in the Middle East. Since imperialism and colonialism has been perpetuated by the West and the US, our nation has been complicit in pain throughout the Middle East. We were devastated by the violence of Oct. 7th. Our hearts and souls are heavy as the violence in Gaza and the West Bank continues and we urge and work for an end to this destruction and genocide. We work and pray for all Jewish people to feel safe globally. For all to feel safe; Jews, Palestinians, Israelis, Arabs, Muslims, everyone. We, as a Unitarian Universalist organization, believe not only in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, but in the right for all to have the ability to flourish and thrive. This right is being comprehensively denied as the Israeli government enacts a genocide of the Palestinian people. As an action network that works to end oppression, we recognize that the freedom of some is connected to the freedom of all. As we work on justice in Massachusetts we also show up for Palestinians who have been oppressed for decades and are now being killed in Gaza and we work to show up for Jews that have been oppressed for millenia. We at UU Mass Action, work for peace, to organize UU’s to create a world where all people are honored and valued, where all people do not have to fear for their lives and where racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semetism, colonialism, and imperialism no longer exist.

UU Mass Action joins many of our partner organizations and the UUA in calling for

Ceasefire, de-escalation, and restraint by all sides
All parties to abide by the laws of war, including the Geneva Conventions and customary international law
Prioritizing steps to secure the immediate release of hostages and ensure international protection for civilians

In faith and solidarity,

UU Mass Action