A Call to Action!
We Refuse to Hate and We Refuse to Be Silent
Ceasefire Now and Stop Sending Arms
Dear Sisters and Friends,
A year ago, Tahija sent out a letter in response to October 7 and the events following, making several requests:
- A ceasefire in Palestine/Israel;
- The release of all hostages;
- Entrance of humanitarian aid into Gaza;
- Observance of International Law (see the full letter here).
Today we are both sending this to you.
Over this past year, the term “ceasefire,” which has become politicized, was, and still is, debated. What is meant by “ceasefire”? Does ceasefire mean ending the killing? Does it mean there are no conditions attached to the cessation of violence? As the months unfolded, the term itself became more acceptable – but the violence continues, has escalated, and spread.
We also have debated over the conditions of international law. How is it enforced? Who decides and who implements it? In the meantime, international (and many US) laws have been utterly disregarded. We called for humanitarian assistance, yet relief trucks sit at borders. Aid packages were tossed from planes, merely minutes before or after bombs fell from the sky. We asked for the return of hostages and for the return of political prisoners, yet families are still broken and in sorrow over the suffering and absence of their loved ones.
We debated over and over again whether what we are witnessing is genocide or ethnic cleansing. The long, intellectual arguments continue while humans are burned alive and while mothers are crying over their children, aid workers and journalists are killed, and while humanity is being erased. Correct definitions are important, but that discussion is not changing and stopping the catastrophe that we are witnessing before us right now.
When is it enough – enough killing, burning and destruction? Tahija and her fellow Bosnians waited for four years before the killing stopped – before the international community decided to push for negotiations, while all along imposing an arms embargo. Is it time for us to ask that our leaders stop supplying weapons and military support that is contributing to the continuation of this agony? Or are we going to continue to watch death, starvation, fear, and destruction for many more years? Palestinians and Israelis who are dedicated to peace, justice, and equality say, the only winners of this war are weapons suppliers. There is no military solution to this war and aggression.
Many of us in the Sisterhood stayed in conversation. We organized educational events with the hope that sharing more information and perspectives will help us learn, make us closer, and help deepen our relationships and commitment to the mission of the organization. We are committed to our goals and our mission and, despite deep emotional distress, fear, and anger, we all feel the need to remain engaged and do what we can.
As women for peace, we demand a ceasefire and an end to all violence. We demand leaders from the US and EU to stop sending their weapons to the Middle East. Not only is this necessary to save many lives and stop the escalation of the conflict but also to provide a future for all Jews, Muslims, and Christians – all people – in the Middle East and in our own society. The killing of children, starvation and indiscriminate bombing of civilians is destroying not only the current but also the future of generations around the world.
As a survivor of siege and someone who experienced sniper fire, bombing and whose people went through genocide, I, Tahija ask that we find courage to raise our voices against the brutality which is ever increasing and that we have been witnessing since October 7th. As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, I, Roberta, join with her in this plea.
There is another way. We must pursue a vision that recognizes humanity, equality and justice for all. The change will come from each one of us and with the Sisterhood’s strength, our voices will be heard. We pray and hope we can all follow the powerful teaching of Nelson Mandela, “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
We would like to invite and urge you all to:
- Come to the Sisterhood Conference! Stay at the table.
- Create an activist chapter in your area. More information on how, will be shared soon!
- Organize visits to DC and to your local representatives asking them to stop the killing, destruction and weapon supplies.
- Reach out and continue to share support for each other and combat anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim bigotry in your own communities and in our society.
In Peace and Sisterhood,
Tahija Vikalo Roberta Elliott
Executive Director President