Fisto Ndayishimiye of Concord is an advocacy corps member for the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).
After barely a week of a ceasefire that saw hostages released and desperately needed humanitarian aid flow into Gaza, war and violence have returned unabated. Rockets and bombs once again fill the air. Aid will no doubt slow to a trickle. And hostages will remain exactly where they are.
It need not be this way. There was positive momentum building toward a permanent ceasefire, something everyone must agree is urgently needed.
The ceasefire negotiations, aid deliveries, and release of hostages show the power of dialogue. Weapons did not bring them about. Far from. If Israel and the Palestinians want peace, real lasting peace, they need to talk to one another. Not shoot at each other.
As someone who arrived in the United States as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, escaping the ongoing conflict there, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of war and the pain of losing loved ones, and this is why I care.
The current conflict between Israel and Gaza worries me so much because I have experienced the consequences of war myself. War is never the answer, and we need to end this cycle of violence and work towards peace. We should create a space where we can share our stories and encourage dialogue between the people of Israel and Gaza instead of resorting to violence.
If we can all understand and empathize with each other’s pain, we can work towards healing and create a peaceful coexistence. Together, we can support those who have lost loved ones and allow them to thrive and share their stories. This will contribute to positive change in the world.
More war is not the answer. In truth, there is no military solution to this crisis. It’s critical Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Rep. Annie Kuster, and Sen. Maggie Hassan publicly call for a ceasefire to finally bring an end to the violence. Only once the shooting stops for good can we address the root causes of the conflict. Without that, there is only more war in the future.
Let’s unite in our pursuit of peace and build a better future for all.