Grand Rapids Friends Meeting Minute to express the need for Israel to solve problems with the Palestinians with diplomacy and non-violent actions. The Palestinians must also proceed with diplomacy and non-violent actions.

The attack by the Israeli Army on Gaza was illegal under international and humanitarian law. More than 1400 were killed, most of them civilians including women and children. Homes and buildings, a hospital and clinics were destroyed by the assault on Gaza.

The attack on Gaza was not a way to Peace, nor a way to resolve the many issues that will lead to a just agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Both the Israelis and Palestinians must meet together to resolve their problems; and the United States must be even handed in its support of the process while engaging with all parties to the conflict.

We recognize that in the past, for generations and even centuries, the Jewish people have been treated unfairly and suffered the atrocious acts of murder. Too late, the international community came to the aid of the Jews during the forties. Now, Israel stands as a powerful, sovereign nation.

As long as Israel continues to destroy and confiscate Palestinian land, the prospect of reaching a final resolution seems very difficult. The world will lose this opportunity for peace with justice, if we cannot move ahead recognizing human rights for both the Israelis and the Palestinians and reaching a just division of land for both Israel and Palestine.

At this time, when well over a thousand innocent people were killed in Gaza, the United Sates government must do more than merely ask Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law but also to fully engage in a true peace process.