Minute on the U.S. and Israeli War With Iran

Herndon Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is devastated and profoundly disturbed about the collaborative military actions of the United States and Israel against Iran and the resulting widespread violence.

Quaker faith embraces the value, dignity, and inviolable sacredness of all human life and existence. Herndon Friends Meeting affirms the Quaker Peace Testimony and our long-standing witness that violence cannot bring lasting security. We affirm that war is not the answer and peace is possible if we choose it through peaceful means and honest communication.

We grieve the many harms that have happened and those that continue because of this war, including loss of life, destruction of communities, cultural and environmental damage, generational terror and trauma, and political and socioeconomic instability and insecurity.

We call upon our government officials to implement an immediate end to this war and engage in constructive dialogue and diplomacy as a pathway to lasting peace. These illegal and immoral strikes on Iran were in violation of the United States Constitution and International Law, including the United Nations Charter.

We call on concerned citizens to use their political power to advocate for peace.