With the news of the election results comes the knowledge that the upcoming presidency will have catastrophic impacts for not only people in the United States, but for people all over the world. We care about all these impacts, and especially for UUJME's circle of concern: Palestine/Israel and the wider region. The incoming Trump administration has pledged unyielding support for Israel’s siege against Palestinians and has suggested the idea of striking nuclear sites in Iran.
As for what policies a Harris administration might have carried out, we know that the Harris/Walz campaign doubled down on refusing to discuss ending military aid to Israel and stopping the slaughter in Gaza and Lebanon. With either election outcome, we would have work to do. With either outcome, we would expect increased repression of protest movements for Palestinian rights. With this outcome, we anticipate broader repression and sooner, along with expanded repression.
And it is not just the Executive Branch that poses a challenge. The sway held by fascist Christian nationalism in the Congress, the Supreme Court, and state and local offices holds severe implications.
Struggles for justice are deeply connected. UUJME sides with all our beloveds who face increased threats. We side with those who have been journeying and will continue to journey forward toward a just peace in Palestine and Israel and the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region - an envisioned outcome that is deeply linked to the well-being of all people and the planet. This journey also demands action against the silencing of voices for solidarity with Palestinians and others in the SWANA region.
In these upcoming weeks and months, as we face years of uncertainty and potentially violent rhetoric and policy, may we commit strongly in our congregations and organizing communities to build people power and find our bravery now more than ever to demand change and justice for all. It becomes critically important to combine the efforts of social justice movements and guide them to travel in the same direction.
Let the steadfastness of the Palestinian people inspire you, like the beautiful red Palestine anemone growing amidst rocks in the image above. Let the principled commitment of Jewish and other faiths' solidarity activists serve as a template. Let love for justice fuel your cultivation of hope and courage. Remember that solidarity is love. We hope that Unitarian Universalist congregations and groups will join us in an ever more inclusive collective effort to engage in working for justice in Palestine and Israel, to side with love for all, pushing toward liberation for all.
There is a genocide to stop, apartheid to dismantle, military industrial complex greed and harm to be ended, and domestic human rights to be defended. And it will require involving many more people. Know that there are abundant resources and beautiful human beings that can be the springboard for sustaining movement energy and defending humanity.
And know that it is okay if all you can do right now is breathe and cry. There are abundant people to hold your pain and side with you. Please seek the care that you need at this difficult time.
The UUA and UU groups are offering different processing spaces. UUJME is also here to support you. Reach out at [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].
Resources:
DRUUMM is an organization for BIPOC UUs and UU adjacent people; they have a caucus for people of SWANA heritage. Find out how to join at https://druumm.org/membership/.
UUA's Side with Love is holding a virtual vigil Nov. 6, at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET. UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt will be speaking. Learn more and register.
The UUA has resources for learning about community resilience and mutual aid: https://www.uua.org/safe/community-resilience
