Religious leaders from all the major religions in Israel including Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and the Druze religion came together on Friday, November 16 to call for a stop to Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip and for a return to the negotiation table in order to broker a lasting peace between the two peoples. The clerics were gathered together to take part in a commemoration honoring the late Reverend Shehadeh Shehadeh, the first Head of the Committee for Land Defense, at Al-Midan Theatre in Haifa. Rev. Shehadeh committed his life to the promotion of peace. He served as a leader of the Land Day Strike, and was elected as the Head of the Committee for Land Defense, and he also played a key political role in the "Al Jabha" party (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality." Shehadeh believed that the principals that govern religion were applicable to the characteristically political calls for peace, and to combine both, the late Reverend established the "Clergy for Peace" organization.
Hundreds of people attended the evening in the memory of Shehadeh Shehadeh, entitled "Religion and the Land," organized by the Mossawa Center, Rev. Shehadeh's family, and the Committee for Educational Guidance. The attendees signed a petition demanding a cessation of hostile actions in Gaza. The petition called on the Israeli public to take a firm stand against the operation and put pressure on the Israeli political leaders not to drag all citizens into an unnecessary war. The clerics warned that the war on Gaza and southern Israel is harming the chances for real peace between the two peoples.
Chairman of the Mossawa Center Jafar Farah said the Israeli attack on Gaza is repeated everytwo to four years and the cost is too high. He said that most Israelis do not understand that the ongoing occupation is not the solution. Ultimately, he said, that "we must live together; Palestinians will not disappear from this place; they will stay and continue to live here."
Of the many religious representatives at the event, one was Rabbi Jeremy Milgram, Co-President of the "Clergy for Peace" organization. He said one of the most important things that he learned from Rev. Shehadehis that one should never desire to cause fear in another person, which is why he (Milgram) refused as a clergymember to take up arms. "The message of religion is a message of peace and love," Milgram said.
Bishop Atallah Hanna, who participated in the event, called to end the assault on Gaza and to strive for peace and brotherhood amongst all peoples. He also opposed the call on young Christiansto volunteer for the Israeli military;one which kills and inflicts injustice on the Palestinian people. Other religious leaders who participated included Druze Sheikh Antir Ma'adi, Rev. Imad De'ibes, Archbishop Kyriakos, Sheikh Rashad Abu Alhig'a, and others. The event was also attended by MK Muhammad Barakeh, MK Dr. Afou Agbaria, MK Hanin Zoabi, and MK Dr. Jamal Zahalka.
