WE NEED TO STOP AND BE AWARE

The escalating violence in the Middle East and many parts of our World, not to mention our own Country, demands that the voices of those directly affected by that violence be heard.  This is especially true when that voice calls for justice, understanding, and reconciliation.  Those of us involved with THE INTERFAITH PEACE PROJECT join our voice with all those who cry out for the end of war and violence as a solution to any grievance no matter how justified that grievance may be.  We are especially concerned with the plight of our children and young people who are not only caught up in the throes of violence but often instructed to think in terms of conflict and violence without awareness of the consequences of such violence.  We must work diligently to defend our children and teenagers from responding with violence as if no other alternative is possible.  We call upon political and religious leaders to stand up and speak out for peace based on justice.  The violence against children must stop.  The thought of hurting another person must cease.  We are inspired by the families who suffered the loss of their children. Consider the following from Aljazeera America:

A 17-year-old Palestinian boy from East Jerusalem was abducted and killed early Wednesday — a suspected act of revenge for the killing of three Israeli youths, whose disappearances and deaths have heightened tension in the region.

The murder of the Palestinian teen highlights a growing fear that more violent acts will be carried out, not between the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups, but by vigilante groups on both sides taking matters into their own hands.

The body of Mohammad Abu Khdeir, from the Shuafat neighborhood, was found reportedly burned and with signs of torture by police in a forest outside Jerusalem. …

The families of the three murdered Israeli teenagers issued a statement Wednesday, condemning the younger Khdeir’s killing:

“If the Arab youth was murdered because of nationalistic motives, then this is a horrible and horrendous act. There is no difference between Arab blood and Jewish blood. Murder is murder. There is no forgiveness or justification for any murder.”  

BLESS THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD EACH AND EVERY DAY!