Jewish rabbis show solidarity with Palestinian Muslims through gift of new Qur’ans. Following an incident where the Al-Anbiya mosque in the Palestinian West Bank town of Beit Fajjar was set afire, a group of six rabbis from Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territory wishing to show their support brought a box full of new Qur’ans to the mosque. They were welcomed by the mosque’s imam and Bethlehem Governor Abdul Fatah Hamayel, as well as several hundred cheering Palestinians, who hailed the rabbis’ gesture of goodwill. Following a tour of the damaged mosque and distribution of the Qur’an, prominent Orthodox leader Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein stated, “I am sorry and ashamed... We are looking for a way to be partners of those of us and you who believe in the possibility of peace, and want to reach peace.”

Our thankful appreciation, Rabbi Lichtenstein and other participants, for reaching out in comfort and conciliation as we also convey our thankfulness to the mosque imam, Governor Hamayel and the Palestinian people for your warmhearted welcome. May all Israelis and Palestinians continue to build relations of understanding and trust, united through the universal ideal of peace.