Interfaith Leaders Call for Intervention in Gaza

January 9, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The American Muslim

http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/interfaith_leaders_call_for_intervention_in_gaza/0015565

As the growing humanitarian crisis continues in the Gaza Strip, interfaith leaders in Southern California held a press conference and a vigil to call for an end to the collective punishment of 1.5 million residents. Interfaith leaders highlighted the importance of social justice and its centrality to Abrahamic faith traditions.”

Violence done in the name of Islam and Judaism is a failure of spirituality,” said Rabbi Niel Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Sholom. “I can not believe and will not believe that in Judaism in its deepest sense, there is any justification for denial for fuel, power, food and medicine.”

The Gaza Strip suffers from skyrocketing unemployment and poverty, and lacks medicine, fuel, electricity, food and other essential commodities. It is virtually cut off from the rest of the world.

“People of religion should rise above tribalism that they feel they belong to and consider ourselves as people of God,” said MPAC Senior Advisor Dr. Maher Hathout. “We need to have the courage to speak out for justice without being intimidated by any group or power.”