Ceasefire Vigil Report–Next Steps
On Sunday, ICPJ and Michigan Peaceworks hosted a moving candlelight vigil calling for peace in the Middle East. Over 300 people from throughout the community came together to call for a stop to the violence and for the U.S. to act to create a ceasefire and to restart the peace process. (see the coverage in the Ann Arbor News & Michigan Daily)
It was a good start, but we need to keep the pressure on Congress and the President to act to stop the bloodshed.
Call the White House Comment Line at 202-456- 1111.
Your Message: Mideast Violence Must Come to an End; US Must Support an Immediate Cease-Fire.
Talking Points: (from Churches for Middle East Peace)
I am grieved over the terrible loss of innocent life in Qana, Lebanon due to an Israeli bombing raid on Sunday, July 30th and am distressed that the US hasn’t done more to end the violence. The Hezbollah- Israeli violence that has escalated rapidly since Hezbollah’s capture of two Israeli soldiers on July 12th has had terrible human consequences on both the Lebanese and Israeli peoples and must come to an end.
The continued violence is increasing anti-American sentiment in the region, weakening moderate voices, and making prospects for a comprehensive Arab- Israeli peace even more difficult.
I agree with the July 21st church leaders letter to President Bush that said, “This violent conflict has created a grave humanitarian crisis, and no hoped-for benefit should outweigh the cause of saving innocent lives.”
The announcement of US plans to work with the UN Security Council this week to bring an end to the hostilities is an important first step, however I ask that the US support an immediate cease-fire to save innocent lives and allow the flow of humanitarian aid. Then, the US must exercise leadership to launch an intensive diplomatic initiative that brings a lasting cessation of hostilities.
Additional resources:
- Brit Tzedek v’Shalom
- Muslim Public Affairs Committee
- Shalom Center
- Council on American-Islamic Relations
Here’s the A2 News story:
Local peace vigil draws hundreds
Demonstrators call for Mideast cease-fire
Monday, July 31, 2006
BY TINA REED
News Staff Reporter
Tim and Shirley Hogan of Ann Arbor say they wouldn’t call themselves politically active.
But they found themselves holding candles on Main Street in Ann Arbor on Sunday evening, calling for the United States to demand a cease-fire in the 21/2-week conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia.
“We’re just ordinary citizens,” said Shirley Hogan, who said she’s been following all news about the conflict since it began. “I thought, finally, we have to make known our commitment to peace.”
They were among about 300 people who lined the streets in front of popular restaurants and stores along South Main Street, mostly between Liberty and Washington streets. People held candles and signs during the vigil for peace sponsored by Michigan Peaceworks and the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice.
The vigil occurred the same day that an Israeli bomb hit a house in Qana, Lebanon, killing nearly 60 civilians, including at least 34 children. Since the conflict first began, more than 500 people have been killed in Lebanon and dozens have died in Israel.
Jeff Levin, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County, said that despite their noble goals, the demonstrators don’t understand the complex reasons that forced Israel into the conflict. He said he would not attend the vigil.
“It seems to me that true peace activists would promote the destruction of terrorist organizations, rather than advocating policies that assure their preservation,” Levin said.
The dispute is not a battle over territory, but one over Israel’s right to exist, he said.
While the official goal of the vigil was to call for complete cease-fire, there was political disagreement among many at the vigil about how what needed to be done to achieve peace. At least one counterprotester stood with a handwritten sign during the event backing U.S. support of Israel and its right to attack in response to Hezbollah.
One demonstrator, Barbara Stahler-Sholk, said she has family living in Israel and friends who live in Lebanon. Although she believes Hezbollah provoked Israel into the conflict, she denounced Israel’s response, which she says is killing innocent Lebanese civilians, and criticized the support given by the United States.
“They are using my tax dollars against my will,” Stahler-Sholk said. “Israel is not upholding its promise to follow the Ten Commandments. Being Jewish, I am ashamed, outraged and feel betrayed.”
But a complete cease-fire could be very dangerous to Israel, said Saline resident Becca Kurshenbaum, 22, who works for the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and held a banner in support of peace Sunday evening.
“If some people here had their way, all military aid to Israel would stop and leave them defenseless against Hezbollah; I don’t agree with that,” said Kurshenbaum.
She said she supports a cease-fire that removes military aid from all sides in the conflict.
“I spoke with my aunt on the phone tonight and she said, ‘You can’t do anything, even if you go to 50 vigils.’ It is going to take more than a vigil for peace, but its a good start.”
Despite varying views at the event, the shared idea was that the only long-term solution for peace is a cease-fire, said organizer and Michigan Peaceworks Executive Director Phillis Engelbert.
“There are stories on the news, more reports of carnage. It’s madness,” Engelbert said. The U.S. government needs to help negotiate every option toward a peaceful resolution, she said. “There’s no excuse for the killing of innocents,” she said.
But it’s not that easy, Levin said.
“Any solution that does not add the root cause of this, which is the unprovoked aggression of Hezbollah against Israel, is a temporary solution at best,” he said.
Tina Reed can be reached at 734-994-6828 or treed@annarbornews.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.