Quakers call for peace in Gaza

Quakers oppose war and violence in all its forms. We believe in the divine worth of every person and our commitment to human dignity is unwavering.

A cease-fire between Hamas and Israel that took effect Jan. 19, 2025 silenced most guns and renewed hope for an end to the 15-month-long conflict. That hope dimmed in early March when Israel cut off all aid to Gaza and then on March 18 resumed warfare, breaking the cease-fire. Since then, the continued shelling of buildings sheltering civilians and targeting the last working hospital in northern Gaza has left over 1,560 additional Palestinians dead. Many more face starvation due to the lack of food and water, compounded by a lack of basic sanitation and functioning health care facilities.

Hanover Friends Meeting urges the U.S. and all parties to work quickly for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. We join the call from the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Quaker community’s advocacy organization: “Congress needs to hold President Trump and the Israeli government accountable. Palestinian civilians must be protected and aid must be able to access Gaza.”

President Trump has proposed the mass expulsion of Palestinians and a U.S. takeover of Gaza. We decry such actions, which would amount to a U.S.-led ethnic cleansing and colonization of Palestine.

Hanover Friends Meeting supports full, unimpeded humanitarian relief, and we advocate for a just and lasting peace for Gaza and the rapidly growing conflict in the West Bank. We call for an embargo on U.S. arms sales to Israel to deter future atrocities against the Palestinian people.

As Quakers, we are steadfast in our commitment to honoring the divine Light in every person and doing everything in our power to prevent further violence and destruction in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.

Lindsay Dearborn

Lebanon

This letter was approved and minuted by the Hanover Friends Meeting (Quakers) on April 20, 2025.

Help for farms and schools

A recent article describes impacts of recent cuts that have hurt Upper Valley farms, schools and early childhood education (ECE) programs (“USDA food program cuts hit small farms”; April 12).

These food programs contribute to the profitability of local farms and return more money to the local economy. They also provide fresher, thus tastier and more nutritious food to community members. The timing of the cuts is especially bad for farmers, as seeds have already been purchased, in some cases planted, for the crops for these now unfunded programs.

There are concrete steps we can take to offset the impacts of these cuts. We can buy directly from local farms or through stores (such as co-ops) that sell their products. We can donate a CSA (community supported agriculture) “farm share” through Willing Hands’ Give Local Food Program. Willing Hands will pick up and deliver this food to local organizations. Or you can donate directly to Willing Hands, which helps farms offset the canceled funding.

To learn more about local agriculture and Farm to School and Early Childhood Education, check out these organizations: Vermont Farm to School, NH Farm to School, Vital Communities Food and Farm (NH/VT), Salvation Farms (VT). Look for updates on the situation and further action steps. We all benefit when local farms flourish.

Debra L. Diegoli

Weathersfield Bow