Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine
November, 17th 2023
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It is my honor and privilege to serve as the first and only Middle Eastern woman in the Washington State Legislature and I take this responsibility seriously. My heart aches intensely for my siblings in Israel and Palestine and I can no longer stay silent. As an elected official and Iranian-American woman, it is my duty to approach the intricacies between Israel and Palestine with a commitment to fostering understanding, productive dialogue, and, above all, a peaceful resolution. I have endorsed the Multifaith Solidarity Statement for Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine because I believe we must initiate this crucial dialogue locally.
I want to make it clear that I condemn the actions of Hamas on October 7th and want to see an end to the loss of innocent civilian lives in Gaza. The latest cycle of violence and the tragic loss of innocent lives is devastating and moves us further from making peace a reality. I strongly support a humanitarian ceasefire to bring Israeli hostages home and to put an end to the bloodshed in Gaza.
Furthermore, I find it important to explicitly state that supporting a humanitarian ceasefire does NOT equate to supporting the Islamic Republic of Iran. I support the ceasefire and condemn the Islamic Republic of Iran. I have repeatedly and unequivocally objected to their decades-long record of atrocious human rights violations.
Finally, I am deeply troubled to see the rise in anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, anti-Arab, and xenophobic sentiment in our own communities. As a Washington state representative, I am resolute in my commitment to condemning hatred and violence in all its forms. My goal is always to cultivate an atmosphere that promotes tolerance, understanding, and inclusivity while creating space for the hard conversations required for progress and peace. I am committed to providing a platform for the difficult conversations essential for progress and peace everywhere and will always work to lift every voice.
My deep gratitude to the community leaders who took the time to craft a precise statement and bring us together.
In peace and solidarity,
Darya Farivar
State Representative, 46th Legislative District