Amstelveen religious leaders have expressed their concerns about tensions in society caused by the conflict between Hamas and Israel. They do this in a letter to Mayor Tjapko Poppens. The five men would like to help, for example by talking to secondary school students.
The letter was signed by Rabbi Hans Groenewoudt, imam Saeed Ahmad Jatt, pastor-deacon Eugène Jongerden, pastor Roel Knijff and pastor Paul Smit.
“As representatives of various religious communities in Amstelveen, we are very concerned about the unrest in our country after the outbreak of violence around Israel and the Palestinian areas,” they begin the letter. ‘For each of us this is a sacred land. Our hearts bleed from the many years of struggle for peace. We share the common belief that violence will not solve anything.’
The faith leaders ‘see no mutual differences that would make living together in peace impossible’ and call on ‘to continue to make distinctions’. ‘Between here and there. Between belief and expectation, and the current political situation. Between violence and desire for peace.’
Teachers and students
They condemn the fact that people are now ‘addressed about the behavior of others.’ ‘Let alone being judged by the behavior of others.’
The faith leaders first want to talk to teachers and then secondary school students. ‘We would like to contribute to the mutual recognition of the equality of every person and both work towards peace and pray for peace.’