Dear Friends of FAIR,
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7th, we at FAIR have listened to and held space for all those profoundly affected by this crisis. We have also taken this time to process events and to allow others to do the same.
As the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism, we advocate for dignity and respect for all human beings, regardless of skin color, creed, gender, or other identity characteristics. We reject any ideology or perspective that serves to diminish or dehumanize.
As James Baldwin once wrote, “I think I know—we see it around us every day—the spiritual wasteland to which that road leads. It is so simple a fact and one that is so hard, apparently, to grasp: Whoever debases others is debasing himself.”
We unequivocally denounce Hamas’ barbaric terrorist attacks on the Jewish people. There is no justification for the murder, rape, torture, and abduction of innocent human beings.
We also deeply mourn every civilian life—Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim—lost because of, and in response to, these attacks.
This includes the impact that this tragedy is having on those outside the region. Since the atrocities of October 7th, there has been a dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents in North America, as well as a reignited hostility toward Muslims. College campuses have once again become hotbeds of protest and conflict, spawned by many of the dangerous and divisive ideologies that FAIR has advocated against since it launched in 2021.
We are a politically nonpartisan organization, but we stand unequivocally against intolerance, hatred, antisemitism, and racism against any group. We are always on the side of humanity, compassion, and nonviolent resistance.
With respect to conversations and activism around this issue here in the U.S., we remain committed to fostering communication across divides and encouraging those who disagree to never lose sight of their opponents’ humanity—or their own.
We at FAIR strive to create a common culture based on our principles of fairness, understanding, and humanity, and we will never stop pursuing this goal.
Sincerely,
Monica Harris
Executive Director, Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism
I very much appreciate your statement. The one thing I would add is that Israel‘s actions, now, and in every conflict, are in self-defense as opposed to retaliatory. They need to uproot Hamas, so a similar act of genocide against them doesn’t reoccur. This is why Israel always gives warning to the civilians, despite the unfortunate outcome because for public relations reasons Hamas does not permit the people they were elected to govern to leave.
One of the resources I would recommend people tapping into is the Whispered in Gaza project which seeks to allow ordinary Gazans a voice to the outside world, a voice which Hamas seeks to suppress. There are videos plus a monograph. https://www.peacecomms.org/gaza It helps to give an insight into the totalitarian world which Gazans are now forced to endure under Hamas. This is a world where there is no singing, no dancing and no being able to walk the dog. A world where it is better to die than to live. I know it really opened to my eyes to what was going on.
The Times of Israel did a three part essay on the project last January: https://www.timesofisrael.com/whats-life-like-under-hamas-whispered-in-gaza-offers-unique-courageous-testimony/
There are reasons why the most recent dispatch as shared by the Free Press ended with the person saying they nightly prayed for the destruction of Hamas. https://twitter.com/TheFP/status/1717187141636104444
There can be no doubt that the first victims of Hamas are the ordinary Gazans and they continue to be the victims of Hamas' aggression. It is why in order to realise a two state solution which allows for people to live freely, Hamas and its repressive ideology must be destroyed.
Going back to a military stalemate or 'ceasefire' which does not include Hamas recognizing Israel's right to exist or indeed them renouncing violence and terror will only lead to further blood shed and loss of innocent lives on all sides of the conflict. There is a straight line from the last ceasefire to 7 October.