Solidarity as an important principle in times of confliction

Solidarity is an important principle within Catholic social teaching.

United States Catholic Bishops contend that we “are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.

We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace.”

How might we live this radical approach to solidarity during times of war and conflict?

The war between Israel and Palestine is over a year old. Here is some pertinent information that we might use to think about solidarity.

Brown University’s report “The Human Toll: Indirect Deaths from War in Gaza and the West Bank, October 7, 2023 Forward” states total deaths and missing persons is at 53,887 (mostly in Gaza) with almost 100,000 having been injured.

An additional 62,413 deaths have occurred in Gaza due to starvation and 5,000 deaths due to lack of care for chronic diseases. Some have contested these figures.

These U.S. arms firms have achieved significant profits since the war began: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon and General Dynamics. Responsible Statecraft—online magazine of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft—states the following total returns: Raytheon (82.69%), Lockheed Martin (54.86%) and General Dynamics (37%).

Media have not been granted independent access to Gaza or the West Bank since the war began.

Reporters Without Borders believes more than 130 Palestinian journalists have been killed.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project states that, between October 2023 and August 2024, more than 1,240 protests occurred in Israel.

In many demonstrations, Israelis have been protesting their government’s handling of the war and calling for ceasefires.

Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, applied for arrest warrants of Hamas (the three named have since been killed) and Israeli leaders, citing crimes against humanity (e.g., starvation of civilians) and war crimes (e.g., intentionally attacking civilian populations).

Khan’s warrants are based on interviews of survivors and eyewitnesses, authenticated video, photo and audio material, satellite imagery and statements from alleged perpetrators.

The political theologian Johann Baptist Metz developed the notion of “dangerous memory” to build solidarity.

These memories confront us with the suffering and injustices of the past and present.

Their role is to unsettle, disturb and provoke complacency.

In contrast, Metz sees “harmless” memories as reinforcing existing social and political structures and glossing over injustices and suffering. Such memories allow people to continue their lifestyles without disrupting power and privilege.

While apportioning responsibility is a critical part of the work of justice, finding ways to communicate that we are one human family is desperately needed.

Regardless of whether they are Jews, Muslims, rich, poor, military, civilian, nationalists or pluralists, solidarity demands love for neighbor.

What can we as a body of monks, students, faculty and staff do to acknowledge the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Palestine and Israel?

How can we demonstrate love for our distant neighbors?