Why Quakers Support Peace and Justice in Palestine and Israel

 

Quakers in Aotearoa New Zealand speak out for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel because of our long-standing Quaker Peace Testimony. Friends believe that every person embodies “that of God,” and we support non-violent efforts that uphold human rights and dignity for all.


The Quaker Peace Testimony

For more than 360 years Quakers have rejected war and violence. The Quaker Peace Testimony calls Friends to seek peaceful solutions to conflict and to stand with those who suffer injustice. Our concern for Palestine and Israel grows out of this long tradition of non-violence.

Palestinian Israeli Flag Merge

Friends have long worked for peace, justice, and reconciliation through non-violence wherever people suffer violence or oppression. You are invited to join us in that work.

Many Quakers in Aotearoa New Zealand feel a deep concern for the people of Palestine and Israel, whose lives continue to be shaped by conflict, displacement, fear, and loss. In the face of this suffering, Friends seek to respond in ways that are faithful to our Peace Testimony — rejecting violence and supporting efforts that promote justice, dignity, and lasting peace for all. 

Our concern

For many years, Quakers worldwide have spoken about the situation faced by Palestinians living under military occupation and restrictions on movement and political freedom. Friends have also expressed concern for the safety and well-being of Israelis who live with fear and insecurity.

Quakers believe that lasting peace cannot be built through violence, domination, or collective punishment. A just future must recognise the humanity, rights, and dignity of both Palestinians and Israelis.
 

What Quakers are doing

Individual Friends and Quaker Meetings in Aotearoa New Zealand have supported a variety of peaceful initiatives, including:

  • learning and public education about the history and current realities of the conflict
  • non-violent demonstrations and vigils for peace
  • support for humanitarian and educational projects
  • supporting the non-violent Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement
  • advocacy for international law and human rights
  • engagement with global Quaker efforts working toward reconciliation and justice.

Some Friends support non-violent economic and political pressure aimed at ending the occupation and encouraging a just peace.
 

A call for peace

Since the violence that escalated in October 2023, Quakers in Aotearoa have joined many others around the world in calling for:

  • an immediate and permanent ceasefire
  • the protection of civilians
  • the release of hostages and prisoners held without due process
  • humanitarian access for those in need
  • renewed international efforts toward a just and lasting peace.
     

Our wider Quaker commitment

Quakers have been present in the region for more than a century, including through the Friends School in Ramallah, which continues to provide education grounded in peace, equality, and service.

Our concern for Palestine and Israel arises from the same spiritual roots that guide Quaker witness in many parts of the world: a belief that every human life is sacred and that non-violence is the path to lasting peace.

 

Learn more or get involved

If you would like to learn more about Quaker perspectives on peace and justice, or about the work of Friends in Aotearoa New Zealand:

Friends welcome respectful conversation with people of all backgrounds who share a concern for peace. 

Listen to an interview with Cole Martin,  a Kiwi Christian journalist who spent 6 months of 2025 living on the West Bank among Palestinians. His trip was partly funded by the Quaker Loxely Award.  You can also read reports Cole made during his visit.

Read our Statement on indefensible aggression towards Palestinians in Gaza, 2025  

Back to Faith in Action 

A different future is possible: Quaker organizations share a vision for peace in Palestine and Israel

The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's actions in Gaza might constitute genocide. Regrettably, Israel has taken no steps to change its behaviour since this ruling, ignoring the court’s provisional measures. Western governments, especially the United States, the United Kingdom, and key European states, continue to provide arms and support to Israel. Their complicity, along with unilateral vetoes preventing repeated ceasefire resolutions at the UN Security Council, raises concerns about international commitments to multilateralism and respect for international legal frameworks. 

 

Aotearoa New Zealand Quakers: Statement on indefensible aggression towards Palestinians in Gaza (May 2025)

An international Quaker statement on Palestine and Israel

Read the statement here

A Different future is possible