Meeting houses offer sanctuary during protests
‘We have all watched in horror as thousands of civilians are killed and displaced in Gaza, in response to the atrocious attacks by Hamas in Israel on 7 October.’
Quaker Meeting houses have been opening near protest routes to provide a quiet safe space during marches. Others have been hired out to groups wishing to plan events or discuss what’s happening in Palestine and Israel, says Clare Wood, head of Peacebuilding Projects for Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM).
The measures form part of five suggested ways that Friends can witness for peace in the face of the escalating violence in the region.
‘We have all watched in horror as thousands of civilians are killed and displaced in Gaza, in response to the atrocious attacks by Hamas in Israel on 7 October,’ writes Clare Wood, on the Quakers in Britain website. ‘But it also can be hard to know what to do in the face of such overwhelming violence.’
Contacting MPs; showing public solidarity; educating and sharing Quaker resources; and joining with others are some of the ways Friends can offer witness, says Clare.
‘Emails to MPs do make a difference. Pressure from constituents changes government policy, particularly in times of crisis. EAPPI UK & Ireland has a Take Action page where you can find template emails… If your MP is already speaking out, write and thank them. It can be hard to speak publicly on these issues.’
Another form of witness is providing ‘a space for discussion, reflection, and sanctuary’, says the article, adding that BYM has received an increased number of questions from Meeting houses in recent weeks, as Friends try to make ‘informed and often quick decisions about who to hire their rooms out to’.
Last month, Central Manchester and Cambridge Meetings cancelled ‘Victory for Palestine’ events by the Socialist Workers Party after strong criticism on social media.
The promotional material was judged to be in breach of Quaker standards for depicting violent imagery. BYM subsequently released advice to all Meetings on room hire.
Some key principles for making these decisions include not hosting events that call ‘for any kind of violence or armed struggle’, or which ‘uses racist language or hate speech, or might in any way build intolerance or prejudice’.
As BYM supports the right of the state of Israel to exist, and the right to self-determination for Palestinians, ‘we therefore cannot host any groups denying these fundamental rights’, it says.
A document outlining the key principles BYM uses to guide room lettings in relation to Palestine and Israel can be found at: www.quaker.org.uk/documents/key-principles-for-palestine-israel-room-lettings-in-friends-house-2023-11-09.
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