We are sharing this letter from the United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien.
United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien
2009 Summer Street, Suite 302
Stamford, CT 06905
February 16, 2024
The Honorable Rachel Khanna
Legislative Office Building, Room 4020
300 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Dear Representative Khanna,
We are writing on behalf of the United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien (UJF) and the members of our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).
We are aware that one or more members of the Connecticut General Assembly may be trying to build momentum for a statewide resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel – an action which may seem innocuous on the surface, but which could actually cause harm upon the Jewish communities here in Connecticut.
“Ceasefire resolutions” have begun popping up around the country at City Council meetings in places like Bridgeport, and may soon be appearing in front of the Hartford City Council and the Groton Town Council. As the war in Israel/Gaza continues, Jewish Federations across Connecticut all want to see an end to the suffering and loss of innocent life in both Israel and Gaza. However, we stress that ALL of the Jewish Federations have resisted calls for a permanent ceasefire, for several important reasons:
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These resolutions are highly divisive, often overtly anti-Israel, and at times have allowed antisemitic conspiracy theories to fester. They are not resolutions discussing a peaceful path forward or a two-state solution. Most have been filled with misinformation about Israel, with the express purpose of trying to change public opinion about federal foreign aid funding for Israel. Respectfully, foreign policy is not the jurisdiction of elected leaders at the state or local level.
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We abhor the loss of innocent lives, whether Jewish or Arab, Israeli or Palestinian. War is horrible. We all wish to see a successful ceasefire; but a ceasefire that precludes the demilitarization of Hamas and doesn’t return the hostages, will only bring us back to the same dangerous situation once again. There was a ceasefire in place on October 6th, and without guarantees that Hamas won’t once again break a ceasefire to slaughter and kidnap Israeli civilians, a forced resolution will solve nothing.
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The Hamas charter states that their reason for existence is the destruction of Israel. In this video, Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas leader, openly admits Hamas’ intent to repeat the October 7th massacre “again and again,” in order to further their mandate to annihilate Israel and kill Jews. No country can be expected to agree to a ceasefire until it can guarantee their residents that the terrorist group responsible is no longer a real threat.
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Calling for an immediate permanent ceasefire effectively excuses the indiscriminate rape, murder, and torture of innocent Israeli civilians – both Jewish and not Jewish. The barbarity of the crimes committed on October 7th (and for the last 133 day to the 130 hostages still in captivity) is too graphic and disturbing to describe in detail, but Israel has the right and the duty to ensure that Hamas never again can commit such atrocities.
The entire Connecticut Congressional delegation and both U.S. Senators have resisted calling for a mandated permanent ceasefire. Some in our delegation have taken issue with the Israeli government and their actions, but each and every one continue to stand by Israel and her right to defend herself.
These resolutions do not align with American values. They absolve Hamas, an organization recognized by our government as a terrorist organization, of responsibility, and they promote antisemitic vitriol. We know that you want to stand up for peace. So do we. The only chance for peace begins with the end of Hamas rule and an immediate return of the hostages.
We thank you for your past support of our local Jewish community and we urge you to rise above the divisive discourse a resolution like this would create, and to reaffirm the values that we should hold near and dear. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue further with you. Please contact UJF Deputy Director Eric Ross, at 203-321-1373 or eric@ujf.org, if you would like to schedule a meeting.