Local leaders ‘appalled’ by attack on Israel
Jack Cohen, president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, said he has relatives who live in Tel Aviv, and is “appalled“ at the weekend actions of Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist organization Hamas.
Wile the conflict is taking place thousands of miles from Butler County and the U.S., Cohen said the conflict has escalated to a point where everyone should be concerned.
“It's time that people in the United States and other countries start thinking of those things,” he said. “People being abused and families being taken, that's not human. How do we even allow that?”
The Israeli government formally declared war Sunday, Oct. 8, and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for its surprise attack from the Gaza Strip.
At least 600 people have reportedly been killed in Israel — a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades — and more than 300 have been killed in Gaza.
Ben Vincent, administrative assistant with Congregation B’nai Abraham in Butler, said the divides that led to the military conflict are more political in nature than religious.
“I wish there was a way we could find a peaceful solution to these conflicts,” he said. “I look at these religions like sun rays. There are all these different pathways all leading to the same goal.”
The Rev. Leigh Benish, pastor at Hill United Presbyterian Church, also said conflicts between religious groups runs counter to the lessons of the religions involved in the fighting.
“I believe it breaks the heart of God when God’s children are fighting,” Benish said.
Benish said her church was joined earlier this year by a peacemaker from Palestine, who shared stories of what it is like to live in the Middle East. Her stories helped people in the local congregation to better understand the burgeoning conflict, according to Benish.
“It was enlightening; her story was different than what we normally see on the news,” Benish said.
Cohen also said the conflict goes beyond religious barriers. He added that he would be happy to see people in the U.S. learn from the conflict over the land in Israel and be more accepting to people with beliefs different than their own.
“The people I know in this county understand my religion as much as I understand theirs,” Cohen said. “I don't think being Jewish makes a difference.”
Vincent said the congregation of B’nai is aware of the conflict, and that he may lead discussions on the topic as a part-time spiritual leader at the congregation.
“We pray every day for the peace of Israel,” Vincent said.
