Dozens in Centre County call for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war as part of nationwide effort
About three dozen people pressed Tuesday the U.S. House member who represents Centre County to support a cease-fire resolution that calls for ending the latest Israel-Hamas war.
Members of the University Mennonite Church, Mennonite Action and others from local churches and faith organizations banded together as some drivers honked in support as they drove along Benner Pike.
Some sang while others prayed and held signs that read “Pray for Peace” and “Peace for the Middle East.”
More than 60 people, including State College Borough Councilman Gopal Balachandran, signed onto a letter that was delivered to U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard. It was one of more than 40 demonstrations carried out nationwide Tuesday.
“Our Palestinian, Jewish, Arab, and Muslim friends and loved ones are demanding a ceasefire even while they are forced to reckon with unspeakable tragedies,” University Mennonite Church Pastor Kate Heinzel said in a statement. “We believe we have a duty as pacifists and Christians to join public action for peace and justice whenever and wherever we can.”
The demonstration didn’t appear to immediately carry much weight with Thompson.
“Israel has the right to defend itself, especially following the horrific violence perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7,” he said in a statement. “Simply turning the other cheek to fanatics whose mission is the destruction of Israel and the genocide of all Jews will only lead to greater losses of life in the future. Lest we forget it was Hamas that broke the recent ceasefire.”
The United States has grown increasingly isolated in its support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted about 240 in a surprise attack.
More than any country or international organization, the U.S. is seen as the only entity capable of persuading Israel to accept a cease-fire as its closest ally and biggest supplier of weaponry. More than 150 members of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly supported a cease-fire; the United States are Israel were two of 10 countries that did not.
President Joe Biden earlier this month warned that Israel was losing international support because of its “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza.
The war — now in its third month — has brought unprecedented death and destruction. Much of northern Gaza was obliterated and more than 18,000 Palestinians were killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. About 70% of them were reportedly children and women, and more than 80% of the population of 2.3 million were pushed from their homes.
Previous Israel-Hamas wars were in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021.
“Violence will keep no one safe,” the letter to Thompson read. “As the deadly cycles of violence continue, we are seeing hate crimes spread across the U.S. We believe that our Jewish, Muslim and Arab neighbors and friends deserve safety and security wherever they live. We believe it is our responsibility as people of faith to stand up against violent theologies that promote antisemitism and Islamophobia.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story