The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire welcomes the implementation of the ceasefire between the Israeli government and the leaders of Hamas to bring hostilities in Gaza to an end. While we recognize that there remains a long path ahead to bring closure to this devastating war, it is important to take a moment to celebrate moments of peace.
Over the past fifteen months, many millions of lives have been altered with generational impacts. People have watched in horror from the early hours of October 7th, 2023 on through the long months, as heart wrenching images and reports were broadcast worldwide. What was unimaginable to most people became the daily norm for so many millions inside Gaza, Israel, and around the world worried for their own safety or that of friends and loved ones.
We understand this conflict continues to divided people, as many want to point the finger of blame in one direction or the other. Now, however, is the time for the world to come together to support a lasting peace that will allow these communities to begin the long process of healing. It is vital that we all commit ourselves to the promotion of peace and encourage the people of Palestine and Israel to work together to find a solution that will create the conditions required for a sustained peace.
It is not for us to dictate what this looks like, what the timeline should be, or how the process should work. WACNH does, however, call upon the United States Government to provide space for an open, honest, and frank discussion between Israelis and Palestinians in a way that respects this volatile, sensitive, and longstanding conflict. Finally, we call upon all Parties to commit to a good faithed effort at adhering to this initial agreement and to work diligently to finalize stages two and three. No one should desire a return to the active phase of this conflict.
Finally, we call on people around the world to be on the alert for the disinformation, misinformation, and outright lies that will spread in the coming days and weeks, designed to derail the implementation of this agreement and to further sow discord. Please check your sources, verify videos, and approach inflammatory posts with a healthy dose of skepticism. Again, now is the time to promote peace, rather than stoke the flames of division.
