WRI exec statement: on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire

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Three soldiers walk through a heavily destroyed neighbourhood.

As a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel comes into force, we can only begin to imagine the relief of all those who were being bombed yesterday, but are not being bombed today.

All wars are crimes against humanity. The last fifteen months of relentless, genocidal war have illustrated this surely beyond doubt. Since the Israeli military retaliated against Hamas’ brutal and murderous attack in October 2023, killing 1,200 people, at least 46,000 people in Gaza 2% of the population – have been killed. Some estimates place the figure at closer to 70,000. Nine out of ten houses have been destroyed or damaged, and 90% of the population has been displaced. It is thought the destruction has produced over 40m tonnes of rubble.

The war has placed a heavy burden on the Israeli and Palestinian populations: finding a route to peace after such long periods of violence is not going to be easy. Immediate needs include returning and rehabilitating the hostages on both sides, and supplying enough basic humanitarian support to the people in Gaza, followed by rebuilding infrastructure: water supplies, hospitals, schools and homes. Above all, war crimes must be investigated, the safety of all people guaranteed, a just society developed, a political solution sought, and grief, anger and hatred must be addressed, remedied and reconciled.

For those tasks to succeed there needs to be a permanent end to the violence – the current ceasefire, if it is respected, is a first step in this direction, but hostilities must now cease permanently. A sustainable peace will only be found when the structural violence inherent in the current regime in Palestine/Israel has ceased as well. Peace is only possible when everybody’s rights are recognized in full.

As war resisters, we know that the long echos of war will continue to be heard for many years to come. We commit to not looking away, and to maintaining our support for those struggling nonviolently for a just and sustainable peace. We commit to supporting those who aim at rectifying injustices – through measures of transitional justice, the justice system and international law. We commit to supporting nonviolent efforts to transform societies, campaign for the right to conscientious objection, and all those who refuse to kill.

As WRI executive committee we call upon the Israeli state and the Palestinian governance structures as well as the international community to urgently find a permanent settlement to hostilities and to start building the just and nonviolent future which is so necessary.

Translated by
Natalia García (ES)
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