Two statements,
originally posted here in September 2002

A moral drawn from Sept. 11:
Examine the roots of violence

By Thomas H. Jeavons

This month has been filled with memorials related to 9/11, and with commentaries on what we have learned, or should have learned, in the last year. This is good. This should be a time for reflection. But we must now pay as much attention to some lessons we have not learned, or even thought much about, as ones we have heard much discussed.

So far most of the public conversation about the events of 9/11 has focused on lessons about military strategy, politics, foreign policy and international relations. There has been some talk about what compromises of civil liberties we should allow in this country to achieve greater security. There has also been a little - though surprisingly little - discussion about how we can change perceptions of the United States abroad, about how we act in the world and how that affects others.

But there are more important lessons, deeper lessons, for the most part yet unrecognized and unappreciated. These are lessons about human nature and the human condition. Two seem most significant, especially if we want to avoid another catastrophe like we experienced last year.

The first has to do with violence and the human proclivity to violence. The lesson, simply put, is that violence can never ultimately put an end to violence.

I come from a pacifist tradition, one that generally opposes the use of violence on moral and religious grounds. Yet, even if one grants that some use of force in "police actions" and to defend the nation is legitimate and prudent, after 9/11 we must all begin to see that we can never eradicate terrorism by force alone.

In this regard, we need look no farther than Israel and Palestine. This truth is being played out before our eyes day after day. After more than 30 years of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and six months of extensive and brutal military action, there are no signs that extremist Palestinians are ready to give up terrorism. Moreover, two years of intensifying terrorist action by some Palestinian factions has only caused the Israeli government to escalate its military action - and other punitive measures - against the Palestinians.

Indeed, a whole new generation of terrorists has likely been formed by these events. So there is no real end in sight.

In short, violence begets violence. Other conflicts confirm this same pattern, which has deep roots in human nature and our desires for control, safety and revenge. If we want this to change, we must address the roots of violence. We must be as committed to creating conditions where the possibilities for economic prosperity, real justice, and basic dignity are a realistic hope for the many as we are to creating mechanisms to punish the behavior of a few.

Sadly, the current policies of the United States show little evidence of this commitment.

The second lesson we must recognize is that the poet was right when he said, "No man is an island." Neither is any nation. The world is now, more than ever, a closely interwoven system. And that reality affects us all deeply.

People of many nationalities died in the World Trade Center on 9/11. People on every continent felt the impact of this event practically as well as emotionally. The economies of every nation were damaged. In the immediate aftermath, the United States commanded the sympathy of many nations. There were sincere expressions of common cause from people and governments from all over the world who want to help put an end to such events.

There was, that is, until our government began again, as it has so often recently, to indicate we believe we can act in any way we wish that serves our own interests, regardless of international laws or binding treaty commitments.

Does the present administration really believe the United States can make a preemptive strike against another nation without overwhelming evidence of an imminent threat or widespread international support, and not create a precedent that will come back to haunt us? Do we really not recognize the economic and political chaos this move would create?

The world really is now a global village. The list of casualties from 9/11, and of those who suffered personally from those losses is powerful measure of how true this is. The diversity of humanity on that list reminds us that our nation cannot act alone and hope to solve any significant problem with international dimensions.

Now we must focus on addressing the roots of violence, and we must begin to act in ways that are truly collaborative and cooperative, if we wish to see progress against terrorism - or any other international scourge. If we do not, a repetition of what happened last Sept. 11 is virtually guaranteed.

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Thomas H. Jeavons, general secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in 2002.

Quakers in Britain - Statement on Iraq

We are deeply concerned that military action against Iraq is proposed by the United States and alarmed lest our own Government support such action. We join other churches, faiths and wider society opposing military action and advocating a non-violent approach to Iraq. Our goal for Iraq must be the same as for any nation -- a just and sustainable peace for its people and its neighbours. We acknowledge concern about the behaviour of the Iraqi Government; however Iraq's recent history shows that neither economic suppression of Iraq nor military action against it can bring peace or justice.

War with Iraq might kill vast numbers of people already suffering the effects of economic sanctions. We fear that it would extend violence across the region, globally even, creating more violence and suffering in the future. It would encourage extremists and violent insurgents. Weapons of mass destruction might be used by either side. No ends justify such means. War would also intensify religious and ethnic conflict within our own communities in the UK.

The policies of industrialised countries, including the UK, have contributed to the causes of the current conflict over decades. Acknowledgement of this is part of the way forward. Extensive military exports to Iraq from the UK, among other nations, in recent decades escalated the danger. The UK remains one of the world's largest exporters of arms, including arms to repressive governments. Failure to abolish weapons of mass destruction encourages their acquisition by Iraq. The importance of Gulf oil leads to attempts to control the region and subverts the proper goals of peace and stability. It is particularly disturbing that the US Government seeks to impose change of regime in Iraq.

There are alternatives to military action. The United States and Iraq should listen to the basis of one another' s real concerns. Economic sanctions should cease. The negotiated return of weapons inspectors is vital, as is aid for the Iraqi people. Exporting arms to the region must stop.

Unilateral action by any State against another is contrary to international law and deeply damaging to the principles governing peaceful international relations. Any decision on an international approach to Iraq should take place within the United Nations Security Council and respect the principles of the UN Charter. We are concerned that the function and authority of the UN Security Council and General Assembly are being eroded.

We ask the Government to respect the highest standards of truth and integrity in public affairs. Continued talk of good and evil whips up fear and detracts from cool consideration of all options, seemingly excluding peaceful alternatives. The gravity of the situation demands honest open debate.

Quakers are opposed to all war. It is not the divine way. In our experience the use of violence generates more violence. Global peace will become possible only if the international community accept a common responsibility for collective security. We pray that God's grace will lead all concerned to wisdom and restraint.

Signed for Britain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, September 2002

• Friends Committee on National Legislation
  (noted these days for their "War is Not the Answer" bumper stickers and yardsigns)
• Northern Friends Peace Board, in Britain
  (which has statements by and links to many other Quaker and non-Quaker groups)

Monthly Meeting of Friends
of Philadelphia
4th & Arch Streets
Philadelphia, Pa.
19106

Homepage: http://www.archstreetfriends.org/