Stop the War Now!

We are shocked, horrified, and extremely worried by the events currently unfolding in and around Gaza. Having been active over decades in the arena of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both as individuals and in our work as a collective – engaging in conflict-resolution, in collaborative peace initiatives with Palestinians and Israelis, and in creating work that seeks to challenge the existing paradigm of endless aggression and to redress the resulting injustices – we share the distress of compassionate persons around the world at the unfolding horror and its consequences.

In days like these, when one is required to “take sides”, the side we choose is clear: we stand by all those who have lost their loved ones in this war; by all those who have had to flee for their lives and leave their homes; by all those who fear for their lives and the lives of their family and loved ones, in Gaza, the West Bank, in Israel and the surrounding region.

In line with the collective declaration issued on February 7th, 2024, by the major human-rights organizations working in the region, it is our duty in these challenging times to raise our voices loud and clear against the violence and the harming of innocent civilians. We join the call for a cessation of all hostilities in Gaza, and for an end to the horrendous cycle of violence and aggression.

We abhor any expressions of genocidal intent, and view in this light with great concern the violent actions by the Israeli government and military towards Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere – against non-combatants, against helpless children and their families, the wholesale destruction of homes, the mass displacements, the withholding of food, water, medical treatment and other essential necessities.

As a collective, we stand, actively and in practice, by those who are unfairly and unjustly treated, those who are marginalized and are socially, economically and politically excluded. We oppose all forms of bigotry, including all manifestations of racism in its many guises. We urge all our collaborators and partners around the world to consider the shared values of justice, equality and peace which we all cherish, and to translate them into meaningful action, for a better future.

– Common Views collective co-founders, David Behar-Perahia and Dan Farberoff