YAKIMA — In 1994, three men shared the Nobel Peace Prize for their work to create peace in the Middle East — in alphabetical order, they were Yasir Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin.
Their efforts resulted in the Oslo Accords, agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization signed in 1993 and 1995. The accords were controversial, with far-right Israelis and numerous Palestinians opposing them. Rabin was assassinated in 1995 and Peres was voted out of office. The Islamist Resistance Movement, known as Hamas, grew and violence in the Middle East has continued, disproportionately impacting civilians in both Israel and Gaza.
In speaking about them Sunday afternoon, the Rev. David Hacker praised them and others who work for peace no matter the dangers and challenges. Hacker led a prayer vigil, “Shalom, Salaam for our Community,” which was sponsored by the Yakima Association of Faith Communities. About 30 people gathered at Millennium Plaza to pray for peace and justice in the Middle East.
The latest Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7 after Hamas militants stormed into southern Israeli towns, killing more than 1,400 and kidnapping more than 155 in a surprise attack during a major Jewish holiday. Israel launched airstrikes into Gaza, and since then thousands of civilians have died, a Pentagon spokesman has said.
“We pray for a cease-fire, for a just peace for all living in this Holy Land,” Hacker said. “We stand with all our neighbors in the face of violence.”
The gathering lasted about an hour. After several people spoke, prayed and sang, many stayed to talk to others.
Luis Lopez of Temple Shalom in Yakima stressed how all are created in God’s image. The God of love doesn’t want hate, he said. The God of peace doesn’t want war.
Ahmed Nahas, president of the Islamic Center of Yakima, spoke of the Jewish couple he befriended when he was living in Boston. He babysat their children. “We grew closer and closer. We were good neighbors,” he said.
No matter your religion, “If you are violent, it means you aren’t following your religion properly,” he said, to which several responded, “Amen.”
“I hope that my Jewish neighbors and non-Jewish neighbors will continue to feel safe,” Nahas said. “We’re just 30 people. We may not be able to fix things on the other side of the world, but I hope we at least maintain peace here.”
Jaspal Singh, leader of the Sikh community in Yakima, said he and the others were there to pray for all who have lost food, shelter, water and so much more in the violence. “Our hearts break for the people of Israel and Palestine,” he said.
Others with the Bodhi Center in Yakima and of the Baha’i faith spoke and read to the group. Sister Kathleen Ross mentioned Pope Francis’ strong commitment to peace. The Rev. Eric Don Anderson sang a few Bible verses.
“Thank you for being here. Thank you for your faith,” Anderson said.
Miriam Brown of Yakima introduced herself as a civilian who grew up in Moscow in the Jewish faith and moved to Jerusalem. That’s where she met her husband, David, who was from Yakima. They moved to Yakima in December 1974 and their daughter, Ilana Brown, graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1989.
Illana Brown lives in Israel and works as the English language editor for several publishing houses. Miriam Brown was glad to see people of different faiths praying together for peace and hopes they will “continue to pray for peace no matter what religion you are,” she said.
She calls her daughter often, she said Sunday. “Since Oct. 7, I haven’t felt good. This is now the first time I feel good,” Brown said.
“I am going to call her tomorrow and tell her Yakima is thinking about her.”
