HOUSTON — A group of Muslims, Christians, and Jews came together in Houston Wednesday to call for an end to airstrikes in Gaza, while also condemning the violence by Hamas against people in Israel.
“We reject all violence against all people,” said William White, Director of CAIR-Houston.
“As a Quaker, I see that of God in everyone,” said Alex McDonald with Live Oak Friends Meeting. “It therefore pains me a great deal to see all the violence and death in Israel and Gaza.”
“We are grieving the hundreds of Palestinians and Israelis who have been killed and our hearts are breaking for everyone living in fear for their safety,” said Hannah Thalenberg with Jewish Voice for Peace.
Fouad Salah, a member of Palestinian Youth Movement, has family and friends in Gaza.
“Our people can’t access healthcare,” said Salah. “They can’t leave because Israel bombed the border crossing. They are yet again entrapped in the land, air, and sea siege that is Gaza.”
Going forward, Salah and the other speakers want Israel to end bombardment and leave Gaza and the West Bank.
They also want the United States to end their support of Israel.
“The escalation in violence at the root cause is the occupation of Palestine and the dehumanization of Palestinian people,” said White.
However, at a gathering Monday night, members of many Houston Jewish congregations and politicians called the Hamas’ attack a hate-filled slaughter.
"It's a defining moment for all of us,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “There's a tendency to remain silent, but in this case, you cannot be silent."
“This is not about politics,” said Livia Link Raviv, Consul General of Israel to the Southwest. “This is the murder of Jews simply because they are Jews. This cannot be allowed. Israel has the obligation to dismantle wholly and wholly eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization.”
Earlier this week, Houston City Hall was lit in blue and white in support of Israel.
On Saturday at 2 p.m., there’s a rally planned in support of Palestinians.