Dear Friends-
Recently, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) joined several other faith-based organizations to call for an end to U.S. funding of weapons and other military support for Israel in light of “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers announce plans to expand Israeli settlements and annex the West Bank, where Israelis are currently leveling Palestinian homes, [olive orchards] and other buildings.” These actions accompany decades of apartheid control of Palestinian territories, impeding travel, civil rights, commerce and other rights that Palestinians might have, if self-governed.
Not all Friends share these views as discussed in a recent Friends Journal article. (Importantly, Friends should bear in mind that opposition to aggressive Israeli military policies and tactics is not the same as anti-Semitism. Similarly, opposition to U.S. military policies, instead favoring peaceful alternatives is not anti-American.)
Our AFM Peace & Social Concerns Committee has begun discussion of this concern and inclines to support the AFSC / FCNL position: Although Israel has the right of self-defense and has enemies who have attacked them in the past, the ever-more aggressive Israeli military action against Palestinians seem more likely to prevent peace negotiations and to encourage more insurgency. Occasional U.S. objections to such policies have been totally ineffectual in light of the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weaponry and support unconditionally provided each year.
So, this AFM Discuss List item comes with questions:
1) Do Friends think AFM should join the AFSC / FCNL letter seeking a change of U.S. policy / funding?
2) If not, do Friends favor a Meeting for Learning to learn more / discuss this issue?
Thanks for your input.
-Phil Caroom for
AFM Peace & Social Concerns Committee