“We call for an end to all hostilities and urge our government to urgently step up efforts to ensure international humanitarian law and human rights are upheld”
15 British Muslim faith leaders, including Shaykha Saleha Islam, have united in issuing a statement on the situation in Gaza and Israel.
The statement reads:
“We, the undersigned British Muslims, unequivocally condemn the killing of civilians in Israel and Gaza.
As we watch the heart-wrenching scenes of Al Ahli Arab Hospital burning, we are reminded that the killing and destruction against innocent men, women and children is deplorable and is contrary to the principles of justice and humanity that we hold dear in our faith.
We denounce Hamas’ killing and abduction of innocent people on the 7th of October 2023 as well as the Israeli military’s subsequent use of excessive force.
We urge the government of Israel to act with restraint and within the boundaries of international law.
The complete siege on Gaza has resulted in immense suffering and recent actions are intensifying a humanitarian crisis of untold proportions upon Palestinians, who are not responsible for the actions of Hamas.
We also appeal to the international community to pursue diplomatic and political avenues to peace. The current crisis has shown the failure of international initiatives, but it is surely only through diplomacy that we can achieve lasting peace in the Holy Land.
We call for an end to all hostilities and urge our government to urgently step up efforts to ensure international humanitarian law and human rights are upheld, and to negotiate a ceasefire that can stop the further killing of innocent people.
We also utterly condemn all acts of Antisemitism or Islamophobia that have taken place on our streets here in Britain. No-one should feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods and in this country.
Mutual respect and dialogue between Muslim and Jewish communities at home and abroad, along with a shared commitment to peace, justice, and the safety of all communities are ever more important.
We also affirm the right of communities across the country to show their solidarity and support for both Palestinians and Israelis caught up in this conflict, in line with British laws surrounding freedom of speech and protest.
We pray for peace and justice and for an end to this cyclical conflict.”
