A Plea for a Ceasefire in Palestine

We whose names are listed below represent a broad diversity of worldviews from across the globe, express here our tremendous sorrow and grief, and our condemnation of the atrocious acts that have killed so many and caused such suffering in Palestine and Israel.

We demand that the international community, our local and global leaders, take swift and resolute action to negotiate an immediate ceasefire and put a decisive halt to the siege of Gaza.

Furthermore, it is imperative to ensure the swift restoration of basic services and the reestablishment of critical supply chains in Gaza, thereby putting an abrupt and definitive end to the ongoing hostilities. This call is not to be underestimated, and the urgency of this matter cannot be overstated.

We believe the root cause of violence is violence, manifesting in various, devastating ways. We commit ourselves to take action, no matter how modest or substantial, in our lives and in our communities to lift up all who are suffering across this decades-long intergenerational issue. The conflict has left the rights of self-determination of the Palestinian people unresolved, fostering trauma, indifference, dehumanization, and tragic loss of life across Palestine and Israel. We hope that this letter also serves to promote the values of open discourse and inspire our community to speak up against injustice and wrong-doing.

Communities across the spectrum of Palestinian, Israeli, Muslim, Jews and various other groups - both regionally and globally - are seeking peace and stability in their daily lives. We are deeply troubled to witness a surge in Islamophobic and anti-Semitic rhetoric and the corresponding increase in hate crimes. Moreover, we believe the continually shifting narrative in mainstream media compounds these concerns.

In light of these distressing developments, it is of paramount importance that we acknowledge the need to pursue resolutions that uphold the universal right to self determination for all oppressed populations. This approach, we believe, is not only desirable but essential in curbing, if not eradicating, violence and hatred on a global scale. The aspirations for peace and justice are not exclusive to any single group, but resonate with humanity as a whole, making it an imperative responsibility for all.

The only way forward is for negotiations to take place on equal footing between Israel and Palestine, brokered by a wider set of international players than the countries and institutions which have thus far participated, including increasing trust-building initiatives to further develop, support, heal and provide justice to all families directly and indirectly affected by the occupation of Palestine, in Palestine, Israel, and globally.

We the undersigned recognize that this letter is not offering longer-term solutions. We believe the only people who have the right to articulate that path with strength and clarity are those who are most directly affected. Together, we stand as a global community committed to a world where all individuals can live free from the burden of conflict, in a spirit of peace, understanding, and mutual respect.

In solidarity,

Osman Siddiqi, Harvard Kennedy School, 2015
Wanjiku Kariuki, Harvard College, 2016
Hanan El-Kathiri, Harvard Law School, 2020
Mukhtar Abdi Ogle, Harvard Kennedy School, 2013
Wangari Muikia, Harvard Kennedy School, 2008
Tahany Maalla, Harvard Kennedy School, 2022
Arthur Namu, Harvard Kennedy School, 1984
Edward Paranta, Harvard Law School
Amandla Ooko-Ombaka, Harvard Kennedy/Harvard Business School, 2016
Rachel Levenson, Harvard Kennedy School, 2018
Moka Lantum, Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health, 2013
Martin Mbaya, Harvard Kennedy School, 2008
Tina Byenkya, American University, 2008
Abba Kidenda, Hillsdale College, 2012
Gurkiran Nyotta, London School of Economics, 2013
Wael Omar, Cairo University
Teresa Mbagaya, N/A
Ijeoma Kola, Harvard University, 2012
Lyra Aoko, Lyra Aoko Media
Ratan Jafferjee, Cardiff University, 2013
Krishna Ramesh, Yale University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, 2017
Roshni Walia, Yale School Of Management, 2023
Benjamin Malick, George Mason University
Rebecca Rebecca, Northwestern, 2011
Jumana Khanbhai, N/A
Julia Conrad, Harvard Kennedy School, 2023
Yacob Berhane, Howard University, 2013
Ravi Shah, N/A
Noura Alnuaimi, Khalifa University, 2021
Naama Tayebji , United States International University - Africa
Arsala Qureshi, New York University
Kavore Kariuki, Harvard Kennedy School
Arcadius Mbagaya, 2010
Ranjeeta Walia, N/A
Tom Osborn, Harvard College, 2020
Diana Nekoye, 2010
Zeid Basyouni, Harvard Kennedy School, 2016
Salash Nabaala, Harvard College, 2018
April Zhu, Guernica Magazine
Liliana Olarte, Harvard Kennedy School, 2015
Kailey Williams , George Washington University
Alice Tenjiwe Kabwe, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2011
Catherine Rodgers , N/A
Tanya Alvis, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Sharmi Surianarain, Harvard College Class, 2001
Lissett Babaian, Harvard 2011
Aurelien Pradier, University of Oxford, 2019
Miya Cain, Harvard Kennedy School, 2015
Jesse Torrence, Harvard Kennedy School, 2008
Jennifer Hatch, Harvard Kennedy School, 2015
Christine Namara, Ugand Christian University
Maria Qazi, Harvard Kennedt School, 2015
Tahjib Shamsuddin, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Mark Mukangu , BOSCOM International
Wangui Maranga, University of Nairobi, 1998
Michael Muhia Ngae, University of Nairobi, Parklands Law School
Natasha Elkathiri , University of Nairobi, 2014
Sumeya Hassan, N/A
Selman Kaldiroglu, N/A
Mustanira Fofeek Said, Kenyatta University, 2016
Jaaziyah Satar, N/A
Khadija Farah, Southern Methodist University, 2011
Leonard Njeru, University of Nairobi, 2004
Shereen Din, N/A
Najim Dost, Harvard Kennedy School, 2008
Dana Del Vecchio, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2018
Carol Odhiambo, Self
Surili Sheth, Harvard Kennedy School, 2015
Juanita Bodmer, Harvard Kennedy School, 2015
Veronica Minaya, Harvard Kennedy School, 2018
Dylan Ndengu, N/A
Lola Aleru, N/A
Meriem Ait Ali Slimane, Harvard Kennedy School, 2008
Afifa Ali, 2011
James Kahiu, N/A
Asil Yassine, University of California, Ph.D., 2024
Sabina Siddiqi, Mount Holyoke, 2003, Tufts, 2007
Naomi Gatoru, United States International University - Africa
Amina Udi, N/A
Abubakar Ali Salim, New York University, 2019, London School of Economics
Murugi Murai, Temple university, 1997
Abood Rahman, N/A
Jonathan Munyi, N/A
Wanjiku Mungai, Harvard College, 201
Trevor Kimani, Self
Amena Siddiqi, Self
Maya Sikand, Brown University, 2013

Original letter here