本会の考え

Statement On the Israel-Hamas Conflict

All of us at Rissho Kosei-kai are deeply saddened by the tragic events that have been unfolding since October 7. We offer our heartfelt prayers for everyone affected by the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

For 30 years, Rissho Kosei-kai members have been growing close to and building relationships with children living in harsh conditions in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian autonomous region, through such programs as the Little Bags of Dreams Campaign.* We have also been promoting dialogue between young people, including Israelis and Palestinians. Our hearts break when we think of those children and young adults, whose lives are now imperiled by conflict. We earnestly pray that the cycle of violence will end as soon as possible, so that peace will return to people’s lives and tranquility to their minds.

Violence is born from the fear of being attacked. Therefore, the security of one party alone is never enough—there must be security shared by both parties. This aligns with the principle of Shared Security that is valued by Religions for Peace (RfP). Rissho Kosei-kai approves of the Statement on the Israel-Hamas Conflict released by RfP on October 10, and we are joining forces with other religious faiths to support the people of the region, who are facing a serious humanitarian crisis. We believe that peace will be realized in the Holy Land of the three religious faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and that dialogue and cooperation will lead to the construction of peace here on earth.

Rissho Kosei-kai
October 21, 2023