While the massacres of October 7 must be absolutely condemned, in no way do they justify the Israeli devastation of Gaza. The civilian death toll there is approaching 20,000 innocent lives, with hundreds of thousands more at risk from lack of water, food and shelter. 85% of all Gazans have been displaced with estimates of a third to a half of all homes in Gaza having been destroyed.
What must be done to end the war? To prevent escalation to a still more catastrophic regional war? To begin the difficult diplomacy to ensure that the rights, dignity and security of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples? To create U.S. policies that defuse rather than exacerbate militarism, divisions and tensions across the Middle East? To restore essential services and begin reconstruction for more than two million people?
On Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, we were joined to discuss these issues by Assaf Kfoury, Irene L. Gendzier and Richard Falk, three extraordinarily experienced and well-informed Middle East scholars who have long been devoted to creating a just Israeli-Palestinian and Middle East peace. Co-sponsored by CPDCS, Massachusetts Peace Action, and Brooklyn for Peace.