Muslim Womens Network UK Calls for Peace
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17 October 2023 MEDIA STATEMENT Muslim Women’s Network UK Calls for Peace The Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) stand in solidarity with the innocent Palestinian and Israeli people, and extend our sincere thoughts and prayers to all those suffering. We call on the international community to demand peace: an immediate ceasefire, safe return of hostages, and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. We wholeheartedly condemn the murder, torture, and kidnapping of Israeli civilians by Hamas, and the use of the tragic situation in Israel as justification for the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli government. The fundamental tenet of proportionality in international law should guide responses to conflicts. And yet, we have seen the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure, as well as forced displacement, with a daily rising number of civilian casualties. We know that the ongoing conflict is likely to reignite religious and ethnic tensions globally and urge communities to have zero tolerance for all forms of Islamophobia and antisemitism. Misinformation online should be countered as they seek to deliberately stoke the flames of division. For example, support for Palestinian human rights is being conflated with support for Hamas or even antisemitism. To be clear, support for Palestinian human rights are not synonymous with antisemitism, and it is essential that these concepts are not misrepresented or exploited to suppress legitimate expressions of concern and advocacy. The right to express one's concerns and opinions on matters of global importance is a fundamental pillar of democratic societies. We are concerned for our faith communities in the UK. Hate crimes towards Muslims is already the highest of any faith group, followed by hate crimes against Jewish communities. Islamophobia and antisemitism have no place in a just and equitable society. It is essential to recognise that individuals should not be held accountable for the actions of political or militant groups because they share the same religious or ethnic background. Current tensions are likely to fuel further hatred and discrimination.
Despite our collective pain, we must remain hopeful and take action now to achieve lasting peace. Additional Information
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