First Majority Opinion Among OHALAH Members
Adopted January 2009

We, Jewish clergy, love the land and people of Israel.  We, children of Abraham, love all people. We abhor the cycle of violence in Israel and Gaza.  We do not see violence as a path to resolving the conflict.  While supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and praying for the dead and wounded on all sides, we call for the creation of United Nations sponsored forums where leaders of nations and peoples can civilly engage in dialogue and learning, and we call for an infusion of funding for dialogue groups and peace making efforts as the best and most promising way to achieve a lasting and sustainable resolution to the agonizing conflict.

Second Majority Opinion Among OHALAH Members
Adopted February 2009

A similar statement was signed by over leaders of the three Abrahamic communities and was published in the Boston Globe by a columnist who writes on religion. 
    
    We are anguished by the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. Recognizing the legitimate needs of all peoples, including all those living in the Middle East, for dignity, peace, safety and security –- regardless of religion, race, or national origin -- we issue this statement with the hope and belief that our voices will be heard clearly, above the din of war.

    As guiding principles,
    
    •We acknowledge the long, complex, and painful history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
    
    •We acknowledge the wide range of deeply-held beliefs, and intensely-felt narratives on all sides
    
    •We acknowledge that all sides are capable of assigning blame to others, and asserting justification for their cause
    
    •We observe that violence by any side begets more violence, hatred, and retaliation
    
    •We deplore any invocation of religion as a justification for violence against others, or the deprivation of the rights of others
    
    •We decry any use of inflammatory rhetoric that demonizes the other and is intended, or is likely, to promote hatred and disrespect
    
    •We believe the conflict can be resolved only through a political and diplomatic solution and not a military one.
    
    In the face of many competing narratives, we recognize that the overriding common need of the peoples of the region is the prompt implementation of a just and lasting peace. Toward that end, and particularly in response to the current hostilities,
    
    •We call upon the United States and the international community immediately to intercede to help reestablish a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, toward the goal of a permanent cessation of hostilities
    
    •We call upon Hamas immediately to end all rocket attacks on Israel, and upon Israel immediately to end its military campaign in Gaza
    
    •We call for an immediate end to all strikes on civilian centers and citizens, both Israeli and Palestinian
    
    •We call for lifting of the blockade on Gaza as to all non-military goods, for an immediate and significant increase in humanitarian aid to address the needs of the people of Gaza, and for all parties involved to join in taking responsibility to address those human needs
    
    •We call on all parties involved in the conflict to work sincerely and vigorously toward a just and lasting peace that addresses and promotes the national aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples

    •We call on President-elect Obama to make clear that as President he will urgently assert US leadership to achieve a comprehensive diplomatic resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflicts
    
    Through this statement we affirm our commitment to engage with one another, even, and especially, during times of great stress. We also affirm our common humanity and our common belief that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must cease, that there is no military or violent solution, that all human life is valued, and that all parties must cooperate to make the peace –-- a just and lasting peace desperately needed and deserved by all the peoples of the region."

Third Majority Opinion Among OHALAH Members
Adopted February 2009

    OHALAH encourages the United States and other interested governments to work actively to support a durable and sustainable cease-fire between Israel and Gaza, followed by a long-term armistice of ten years or more during which there will be absolutely no attacks on Israel of any kind and the end to the smuggling of weapons by Hamas, in exchange for the lifting of the blockade by Israel and an end to attacks on Gaza by Israel.  We strongly believe that the terms of the ceasefire and the armistice should require that Hamas dismantle its terrorist infrastructure, and its intention to launch rockets and mortars against Israel.

    OHALAH strongly supports a just and sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict achieved through negotiations between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza in order to ensure the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, along side a viable, independent, and democratic Palestinian state with secure borders, living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel.

    OHALAH believes strongly that the lives of innocent civilians in Israel and Gaza must be protected and that all involved should continue to work to address the humanitarian needs in Gaza.

    OHALAH calls upon the United States and other interested governments to encourage efforts that will result in the release of Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Hamas in June 2006, as quickly as possible.

    OHALAH calls upon Hamas to recognize Israel 's right to exist.

    OHALAH expresses vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and recognizes its right to act in self-defense.

Fourth Majority Opinion Among OHALAH Members
Adopted April 2009

OHALAH declares itself by majority vote committed to work as individuals and as a kahal to change United States’ policy so that the United States insists (using whatever diplomatic and economic efforts are necessary short of military action) that Israel as well as a Palestinian government with broad popular support agree to a Middle East peace settlement in which Israel, and a truly independent and viable Palestine under whatever government its people chooses, and all Arab states, and Iran make full peace settlements with each other;

AND that while we understand how the fear and rage of human beings under attack–whether Palestinians or Israelis, Arabs and Muslims in general or Jews in general--can arouse passions that some people may allow to sweep them into acts of general revenge, we utterly condemn attacks upon the innocent and defenseless in any community, and utterly reject any effort to justify such attacks in the name of God or of justice;
        
AND that OHALAH calls on all its members to present this position for discussion by their congregations, and for all OHALAH members who support this view to encourage their congregations to support it; to advocate for this position in governmental and community forums; to offer it as a vision for peace in prayer services; and to offer it for discussion in adult education classes and synagogue schools--while maintaining an atmosphere of compassionate listening for all congregants regardless of their positions on this question;
        
AND that OHALAH agrees to seek out and work with Muslim and Christian organizations that also adopt this vision;

AND that just as members of our individual congregations will continue to be honored as members even if they disagree, any member of OHALAH can disagree with this decision by the majority and will continue to be honored as a member.

First Minority Opinion Among OHALAH Members
Adopted April 2009

OHALAH declares itself by majority vote to be committed to work as individuals and as a kahal to

1. Encourage the new United States Administration to work actively to support a durable and sustainable cease-fire in Gaza, as soon as possible, that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding its terrorist infrastructure, including the capability to launch rockets and mortars against Israel, and thereby allowing for the long-term improvement of daily living conditions for the people of Gaza.
      
2. Reiterate that Hamas must end the rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, recognize Israel ’s right to exist, renounce violence, and agree to accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.

3. Affirm that we believe strongly that the lives of innocent civilians must be protected and all appropriate measures should be taken to diminish civilian casualties and that all involved should continue to work to address humanitarian needs in Gaza;

4. Call upon the United States government to encourage efforts that will result in the release of Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Hamas in June 2006, as quickly as possible.

5. Reiterate our strong support for a just and sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict achieved through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in order to ensure the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and a viable, independent, and democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel. And

6. Express vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and recognize its right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism.

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