Quakers Discern Genocide is Occurring in Gaza
and Urge Courageous Action
PHILADELPHIA (July 28, 2025) – Quaker organizations based in the U.S., Britain, Norway, Canada, Europe, and around the world have issued a joint statement asserting their belief that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and calling for action. This comes as Israel has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians in Gaza, with as many as 300,000 dead from direct and indirect impacts of bombings, deliberately imposed starvation, the destruction of medical facilities, and the complete devastation of housing and infrastructure.
The statement reads in part: “After deep communal and prayerful discernment, informed by our direct witness in Palestine/Israel and our readings of the positions of international human rights organizations, international and Israeli genocide scholars, and experts on the UN Genocide Convention (1948), we are exercising our religious conviction to speak the truth as we see it. We believe with moral clarity, and in line with the definition of the crime of genocide, that the current actions in Gaza perpetrated by the Israeli government, constitute genocide.”
The statement calls for:
- An immediate, permanent ceasefire and full humanitarian access;
- The application of robust, targeted, and timebound sanctions, including a comprehensive arms embargo, aimed at ending Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the related system of apartheid;
- Respect for international law and accountability;
- Protection of free speech and the right to protest;
- Dismantling of oppression and establishing a just and permanent peace.
Signatories include American Friends Service Committee, Canadian Friends Service Committee, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Friends World Committee for Consultation, Quakers in Britain/ Quaker Peace and Social Witness, Quaker Council on European Affairs, Quaker Service Norway, and the Quaker United Nations Office. They are now inviting Quaker Meetings to discuss, discern, and endorse the statement.
A pdf of the full statement is available here.
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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine Light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
We are deeply committed to respecting and honoring all individuals,
regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Clearwater Friends Have a New Meeting Location
Our new location is at the corner of Curlew Road and County Rd. 1 in Palm Harbor just north of Dunedin. Using space inside the La Femme Institute building adjacent to Emmanuel Community Church, we have the benefit of shady parking near the entrance, no steps to navigate, full kitchen, and a large meeting space.
La Femme Institute is a non-profit community center for women and girls "offering educational resources in technology and the arts, promoting self-expression, and providing a community centered on inclusivity."
turn off CR1 just north of Curlew at the green Curlew Animal Hospital sign
white fence leads to parking lot
La Femme Inst. building is on the left
La Femme Inst sign and entry walkway
Response to Activation of Troops
Under Insurrection Act
Visit the Quaker House website. https://quakerhouse.org/
Quaker House is a manifestation of the Friends’ Peace Testimony. Based in Fayetteville, NC, home of Fort Liberty, Quaker House provides counseling and support to service members who are questioning their role in the military; educates them, their families, and the public about military issues; and advocates for a more peaceful world.
You Are Welcome Here
Come Worship with Us
A welcoming unprogrammed Quaker Meeting, we gather every Sunday at 9:45am, in-person and on Zoom, settling into silent worship at 10:00am. To join us on Zoom, use the "Join Online Meeting" button on the Upcoming Events section below.
Upcoming Events
Wed April 15
Moving from Me to Us: a 2-part workshop
7:00pm
Venue: Dunedin Unity Church, 1315 Bayshore Blvd
New 2-part workshop for the purpose of keeping communication open during these divisive times
In these challenging times, it is more important than ever that we live our values and create a blessed community.
Friend Katie Green, convener of Dunedin’s Interfaith Story Circle has a new project. A flier is attached.
You are invited to participate in a new 2-part workshop for the purpose of keeping communication open during these divisive times.
Moving From Me to Us has its roots in storytelling and in decades of personal experience facilitating workshops and teaching classes in communication and creative conflict resolution. We will meet from 7PM to 8:30PM at the Dunedin Unity Church, 1315 Bayshore Blvd on Wednesday, April 15 and May 20.
Katie believes that our lives are our story. Her simple definition of story is: something happened to someone somewhere. A story always has a conflict, or a problem. When we avoid conflict, we lose a learning opportunity. Together, in a safe and non-judgmental environment, we will look at conflict and human nature. We will think, share, and play as we create a non-judgmental, accepting community where every person is valued.
There is no fee, but space is limited. Donations to our host, the Unity Church, will be accepted.
Please contact Katie Green to save your place or just to ask a question. Call or text Katie at 774-364-0468
Fri April 17
Action Hour for Palestine AFSC
12:00pm
Venue: Zoom
Action Hour for Palestine
EVERY FRIDAY AT 12 P.M. ET / 9 A.M. PT
Join AFSC staff every Friday to hear updates on what's happening in Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact Congress and call for a permanent cease-fire, arms embargo on Israel, and humanitarian access for Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us! Register https://afsc.org/events/action-hour-palestine
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) https://afsc.org/
Sun April 19
CFM joins St. Pete Meeting First Day School on Zoom for Minneapolis Friends Visit
9:30am
Venue: On Zoom together at La Femme Inst. or on Zoom from your home
Join Online Meeting (available shortly before event)
Sun, April 19th, 9:30 am Minneapolis Friends visit St. Pete Meeting: Friends from Minneapolis Meeting will visit St. Petersburg Meeting’s Adult First Day School to share their experiences of defending their neighbors and their city against ICE. Clearwater Friends will join in on Zoom from our meeting room. Those who are worshipping from home may join directly on SPQM’s Zoom. See our website calendar for a Zoom link.
In anticipation of their visit, we are asked to please listen to Thee Quaker’s podcast interview of four Quakers from Twin Cities Friends Meeting in St. Paul. Another resource is the excellent current issue of Sahan Journal that features several articles on the experiences of people who were targets of ICE's brutality.
See our Calendar of Events page for more Clearwater Friends activities and some other events of interest.
SEYM Welcome to Newcomers
"You are welcome at any of our Meetings and Worship Groups! We are a mix of newcomers and longtime members, with people of various faith backgrounds, gender identities and orientations.
We gather for unprogrammed worship and spiritual renewal, and advocate for peace, social justice, and the earth.
At the heart of the Quaker faith is the experience of an inner source of spiritual connection, renewal, and guidance that is present in all people, regardless of religion or culture. We have no dogma or statements of belief. Learn more>
https://seymquakers.org/welcome/for-newcomers/#videos
-Southeast Yearly Meeting
Read the Clearwater Friends Meeting Statement
on the Israel-Palestine Conflict
You can find us at:
NOT OUR MAILING ADDRESS-, Meeting at: La Femme Institute building, 1150 County Rd. 1, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
We meet:
Every Sunday at 10:00am
Hybrid meeting on Zoom.
Our phone number:
727-316-5499
Accessibility:
There is a curb cut/ramp and no stair steps. There are restrooms stalls with rails and out-swinging doors.