Nebraskans for Peace

Nebraskans for Peace vehemently opposes the recent, blatantly racist comments made by Governor Jim Pillen about Palestinian people. Demonizing one group (Palestinians) to garner support for another (Israelis) spreads ignorance, hate, and reinforces the violence we see in the Middle East — violence for which children pay the highest price. For over 70 years, Palestinians have faced and been forced into displacement, dispossession, and repeated cycles of violence, often with the support of governments around the world. Our own history of the genocide of Native Americans, slavery and immigrants should give us pause to think before we speak.

At a time when human rights and human dignity should be at the forefront of public comments, inflammatory statements only serve to deepen division and dehumanize an already vulnerable population. When the Governor of a state issues an Executive Order that is based on ignorance and demonization of the "other" that Executive Order reflects on every Nebraskan. With over 70,000 Palestinian people killed in the recent genocide, we call on Governor Pillen to retract his statements of hate and division. We stand in solidarity with all people seeking peace, justice, and self-determination, and we reject language that promotes prejudice or discrimination against any people.