Chief Rabbi, Muslim leader in joint call to end violence

Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel David Lau and founder of the Islamic Movement Sheikh Abdullah Nimar Darwish called Friday on leaders of both Abrahamic faiths to hold meetings aimed at reducing inter-religious tensions in Israel.

In a joint interview with Israel Radio ahead of the Jewish High Holiday of Yom Kippur and the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha, the two religious figures expressed hope that Jews and Arabs may soon achieve peace.

“We will announce that all religious leaders declare peace between the two religions and two nations, and will call on politicians to hasten the peace process,” Darwish said.

“Let’s make peace together, and organize a religious march in Tel Aviv or Kfar Kassem with the message that there should be quiet and an end to bloodshed, enough with the destruction, enough with the killing, enough with the hate.”

Rabbi Lau concurred that such meetings were necessary.

“There’s no permission from God and there is no justification for harming people’s lives,” Lau said.

“I would be glad to meet with fellow religious leaders and spread this message.”

Adiv Sterman contributed to this report.