TITLE: Statement on Today's Events

AUTHOR:

ORG: Jewish Peace News

DATE: Sept. 11, 2001

A Jewish Voice for Peace is shocked and outraged by the events that have taken place in the United States today. As Jews, as Americans and as peace activists we condemn, in the strongest possible terms, those who carried out these vicious attacks on innocent people. We share in the collective sense of grief and mourning, and offer the deepest sympathy for all those affected, some of whom are surely among us. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims, their families and their loved ones. At this point, people are rightly struggling to comprehend these events, and to understand how such a tragedy could occur. Under these circumstances, it is essential to be both thoughtful and just in our reactions. Terrorist attacks occurring on American soil often arouse anti-Arab sentiment; and yet, neither Arabs nor Muslims had any part in recent attacks such as the Oklahoma City bombing or the TWA 800 crash. While we do not know who is responsible for today's events, it is not appropriate to blame an entire ethnic group, nation or religion for actions carried out by individuals. The individuals responsible, but only those responsible, should and must be brought swiftly and decisively to justice. A Jewish Voice for Peace was born of the conviction that violence begets violence. It is the mission of our organization, and the passion of many of its members, to support and work towards lasting and equitable peace and justice as the best way to prevent atrocities such as those we have witnessed today. In light of today's events, we must redouble our efforts. Jewish Peace News Moderators Lincoln Shlensky Mitchell Plitnick Adam Gutride Alistair Welchman END top