We should not let the land flowing with milk and honey
become a land flowing with blood and tears.
– Yitzhak Rabin
September 28, 1995
As Humanistic Jews, we are naturally very concerned about a secure future for the State of Israel. As Humanistic Jews, we are also very concerned about the loss of life on both sides of the current conflict in the Middle East.
It is past time to bring an immediate and unconditional end to the violence, and to bring about a resumption of the peace process, regardless of how intractable the issues at hand may seem.
In this time of crisis in the Middle East, the Society for Humanistic Judaism expresses its understanding and sympathy for the plight of the two peoples caught in a deadly and seemingly intractable struggle. As Humanistic Jews, our hearts are heavy with profound sorrow and outrage at the loss of innocent life on both sides.
We support the United States government in its current effort to bring an immediate and unconditional end to the violence. We urge the United States and the United Nations to exert every effort to bring about a resumption of the peace process.
We stand in solidarity and support of the people of Israel and of the right and responsibility of Israel to defend its citizens. We recognize that the Israelis will have difficult decisions to make. They know that a final settlement cannot be achieved overnight. They also know that peace is the only feasible alternative to a perpetuation of the cycle of violence for themselves and their children.
— October 18, 2000
