To Khaled Mashaal
Chief of the Political Bureau of Hamas
Damascus, Syria
Dear Friend,
We, the undersigned, are writing to you in the hope that you will use your power and influence to help establish peace in the Middle East and the world.
Until now, Hamas has pursued a bloody policy of violence against Israel and against Jews in general. Much of this violence has been rendered indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of children. Furthermore, rather than hoping for future peace with the people of Israel, Hamas hopes for its eventual destruction. This policy, rather than helping to establish a Palestinian state, has hindered it, and perpetuates division, suffering and strife, not only for Israelis and Palestinians, but for the world.
While we are aware of the injustice the Palestinian people have suffered at the hands of those promoting expansionist policies, we believe that neither violent retaliation nor threats to Israel’s long-term security are viable remedies. Violence begets violence, and fear begets violence. Therefore, we ask you to renounce violence and the cultivation of fear, and instead to lead the Palestinians in non-violent resistance against injustice, which will draw the world to your cause and convert your enemies. Indeed, the Qur’an says to ‘Repel evil with what is better, then will he, between whom and thee was hatred, become as it were thy friend and intimate. And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint.’
We ask, then, that Hamas exercise such patience and self-restraint, setting an example to Israel and to the world of that which is better, and leading the way to peace.
Peace to you.
And also
To Dani Dayan
Chairman of the Yesha Council
Palestinian Territories
Dear Friend,
We, the undersigned, are writing to you in the hope that you will help promote peace in the Middle East, and in the world. By peace we mean not a forced absence of war based on might, which conquerors may impose upon the conquered, but rather the presence of harmony resulting from mutual respect, understanding, and a sense of equality between different cultures, races, and faiths.
By this definition, the policy of settlement expansion cannot lead to peace. There is no peace in forcing people off of their land, and there is no peace in the walls, soldiers, barbed wire and checkpoints that provide security for the settlements. In fact, rather than creating long-term peace for the people of Israel, the expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory perpetuates the suffering that leads to hostility, and threatens any prospects for peace in the Middle East.
Furthermore, you have argued that the Palestinian Territories belong to Israel by virtue of military gains from the war in 1967. There is clearly no peace in such an argument. To claim land based on a war half a century ago is to perpetuate that war.
In summary, your policy of settlement expansion respects neither the individuals whose lands you acquire, nor the Palestinian people as a whole. We therefore ask you, in the name of peace, to stop the building of settlements in the Palestinian Territories, to recognize the autonomy of the Palestinian people and to respect the rights of the people who live there.
Peace to you.
Revised petitions: 8 May, 2013
You have also argued that the Palestinian Territories belong to Israel by virtue of military gains from the war in 1967. There is clearly no peace in such an argument. To claim land based on a war half a century ago is to perpetuate that war.
Revised petitions: 8 May, 2013
To Khaled Mashaal or other Hamas Representative
Dear Friend,
We, the undersigned, are writing to you in the hope that you will use your power and influence to help establish peace in the Middle East and the world.
Until now, Hamas' answer to injustice has been a policy of violence against Israel. Most of this violence has been rendered indiscriminately. Furthermore, rather than hoping for future peace with the people of Israel, Hamas' vision for the future excludes the state of Israel. This policy, rather than helping to establish a Palestinian state, has hindered it, and perpetuates division, suffering and strife, not only for Israelis and Palestinians, but for the world.
While we are aware of the injustice the Palestinian people have suffered at the hands of those promoting expansionist policies, we believe that neither violent retaliation nor threats to Israel’s long-term security are viable remedies. While justice is necessary to create peace, that justice must come by peaceful means, as violence creates more injustice. Therefore, we ask you to renounce violence and the cultivation of fear, and instead to lead the Palestinians in non-violent resistance against injustice, which will draw the world to your cause and convert your enemies. Indeed, the Qur’an says to ‘Repel evil with what is better, then will he, between whom and thee was hatred, become as it were thy friend and intimate. And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint.’
We ask, then, that Hamas exercise such patience and self-restraint, setting an example to Israel and to the world of that which is better, and leading the way to peace.
Peace to you.
And also
To Dani Dayan
Chairman of the Yesha Council
Palestinian Territories
Dear Friend,
We, the undersigned, are writing to you in the hope that you will help promote peace in the Middle East, and in the world. By peace we mean not a forced absence of war based on might, which conquerors may impose upon the conquered, but rather the presence of harmony resulting from mutual respect, understanding, and a sense of equality between different cultures, races, and faiths.
By this definition, the policy of settlement expansion cannot lead to peace. There is no peace in forcing people off of their land, and there is no peace in the walls, soldiers, barbed wire and checkpoints that provide security for the settlements. In fact, rather than creating long-term peace for the people of Israel, the expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory perpetuates the suffering that leads to hostility, and threatens any prospects for peace in the Middle East, including Israel. Furthermore, Israeli settlers often use violence against Palestinians who are 'in the way' of settlement expansion. This violence is often directed at Palestinian schoolchildren as they make their way to and from school. Though you dissuade settlers from resorting to violence, they continue to harass and attack Palestinians with impunity. Dissuasion is not enough.
You have also argued that the Palestinian Territories belong to Israel by virtue of military gains from the war in 1967. There is clearly no peace in such an argument. To claim land based on a war half a century ago is to perpetuate that war.
In summary, your policy of settlement expansion respects neither the individuals whose lands you acquire, nor the Palestinian people as a whole. Settlements in Palestine threaten any prospects for peace, including peace in Israel. We therefore ask you, in the name of peace, to stop the building of settlements in the Palestinian Territories, to recognize the autonomy of the Palestinian people and to respect the rights of the people who live there.
Peace to you.
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