Rabbi’s for Human Rights have written to world leaders seeking actions to ensure the safety, well-being, and prompt release of all those abducted from Israel to Gaza.
Rabbis for Human Rights
For the Attention of:
Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission,
H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League,
Dr. Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General, Amnesty International
10th October 2023
קול רבני
RABBIS FOR
خاخاميم من أجل
לזכויות אדם
HUMAN RIGHTS
حقوق الإنسان
“Adam was created alone, to teach you that whoever destroys a single soul, it is as if they destroyed an entire world; and whoever saves a single soul, it is as if they saved an entire world.” (Mishnah Sanhedrin, Chapter 4)
“Rabbis for Human Rights” is an Israeli organization dedicated to advancing human rights from within the Jewish tradition. Since its establishment in 1988, we have been working with Palestinians to safeguard their human rights.
In this difficult time, we beseech you to take any available actions to ensure the safety, well-being, and prompt release of all those abducted from Israel to Gaza. Among the abductees are young children desperately in need of their parents, as well as elderly individuals, some of whom are ailing and require assistance, support, and medication.
The Jewish tradition teaches us that every person is a world unto themselves. We have lost hundreds of worlds in the past day, and there is no way to restore them.
Our hearts are burdened with concern for the abductees’ welfare, health, and the fervent desire for their swift return to their homes and families. We implore you, as a moral duty, to take action to protect and defend the lives of innocent citizens who have been abducted.
It is crucial to bear in mind that international law, as stipulated in the Geneva Convention, mandates that:
Individuals who are not taking an active part in hostilities, including soldiers who have laid down their arms and those who have been placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction of race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.
May peace soon prevail upon all of us, as it is written:
“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall be afraid.” (Micah 4:3-4)
In prayer for an end to hostilities and the return of the captives,
Avi Dabush, CEO of Rabbis for Human Rights
In the name of the 160 Israeli Rabbi members of the organization
+972 58-485-9888
Shai Agnon 22 Jerusalem
media@rhr.org.il
קול רבני
RABBIS FOR
خاخاميم من أجل
לזכויות אדם
HUMAN RIGHTS
حقوق الإنسان
