PJALS holds candlelight vigil for peace

The Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS) held a candlelight vigil as an opportunity for local people to express their grief and anger about more than 20,000 Palestinian and 1,147 Israeli civilian lives taken in the conflict in Palestine/Israel. They called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

The vigil was held on Dec. 14, beginning at the Community Building. Participants then walked to the Division Street Bridge.

"We condemn and mourn the extensive loss of civilian life in the past few months from actions by the Israeli military and by Hamas. The current escalation must be viewed in the context of decades of Israeli military occupation and campaigns in the West Bank and Gaza Strip," said Union Carter, PJALS organizer.

"To end the violence, its root causes must be addressed. Military attacks only exacerbate human suffering," Union said.

PJALS has joined other humanitarian and human rights organizations to call for a permanent ceasefire, an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza and the 16-year siege and the return of all hostages and political prisoners by Hamas and Israel.

These are first steps to prevent loss of more lives and lay groundwork for comprehensive negotiations to end Israel's occupation and recognize Palestinian's right to self-determination.

For information, call 368-7604 or email ucarter@pjals.org.