Certain dates remain etched in our minds for years because of what happened on those particular days. For many of us, Nov. 22, 1963 and Sept. 11, 2001 are two examples. I believe that Oct. 7, 2023 will fall in that category in the minds of many.
As I began to hear reports of the terror attack by Hamas on innocent people along the western border of Israel, I felt that same sensation of disbelief I experienced as a child when I heard that our president had been assassinated and as an adult when I saw the images of two planes slamming into the World Trade Center.
As president of the Nauset Interfaith Association and pastor of the Provincetown United Methodist Church, I have had conversations with brothers and sisters who share the feelings of horror over that despicable act of terrorism on Oct. 7. From these diverse communities of faith, I have heard genuine expressions of love and support extended to our Jewish friends and neighbors, especially to those who have family in Israel, and to the hostages and their families as well.
We also need to recognize that there are other innocent victims we can’t forget — men, women, and children who do not have the power, the desire, or the capacity to inflict harm on innocent people like those who were massacred and taken hostage on Oct. 7. Therefore, I call out to all good people to stand in support of the suffering innocent in Gaza as well, always keeping in mind that we are all children of God. I invite this community to join our prayers for the end of hostilities and for the establishment of lasting peace and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Terrorism and violence will not bring about peace and reconciliation. In fact, they are quite effective in fostering further acts of hatred. We see evidence of this in the increased number of both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic acts in cities all over the world within hours of the Hamas attack and the military response by Israel. We must continue to condemn any and all forms of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
As it is written in Ezekiel 45:9, let us “put away violence and destruction and practice justice and righteousness.”
Edgar Miranda lives in Eastham.
