The Abington Township Human Relations Commission recently issued a collective response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Commission is a volunteer group of residents with the following Mission Statement:
In order to protect the rights of all community members, the Abington Township Human Relations Commission (ATHRC) will promote the provisions of Abington Ordinance 2029, which prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Abington Township and the ATHRC recognize the inherent dignity and worth of all people; therefore, the ATHRC strives to ensure, through education, mediation, and community outreach, that all members of the community enjoy equality and equal protection under the law.
“This week, we have seen and felt the immense ramifications of people not living in peace with one another. We, like so many in our community, state, country, and the world, are horriffied and saddened by the grotesque evil that has been visited upon innocent people involved in the long and complex Israel-Palestine conflict. We have watched the kidnapping and slaughter of grandparents, parents, children – young and old, people with disabilities, and people simply just trying to live their lives. No matter one’s usual politics, this war goes beyond all of that. And we, like so many of you, are in mourning,” the Commission wrote.
The statement comes in part a response to at least two recent antisemitic literature distribution incidents in our area. The Commission notes that it has begun to work with the Abington Police Department and the Anti-Defamation League.
“We know that the only way to prevent hatred is to fight it – anywhere and everywhere and against anyone whenever it occurs. We will present our work to you and we ask for your cooperation and help,” they wrote.
Their full response can be found below. The original document can also be found here.
For more on the AHRC, you can visit their Facebook page or their page on Abington Township’s website.
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Photo: BBC