MANY Quakers, including the members of Keighley Quaker Meeting, have watched the unfolding situation in Syria with distress and dismay.

Quakers steadfastly believe in peace, that war is never the answer and that bombing serves only to harm innocents and further inflame already-difficult situations. The answers must come through talk, not attack.

Quakers have issued a formal statement outlining their thoughts: “We believe that the use of chemical weapons should be challenged, however – as a faith community – our religious understanding and experience is that true peace cannot be imposed by military might.

“We remain convinced that there were both moral and pragmatic reasons to oppose military action in Syria. Bombs dropped from the air kill indiscriminately, and also increase the risk of terrorist retribution. Those who suffer the most in violent conflict are non-combatants, ordinary people including women and children.

“Instead we support the process of building peace. Peace is rarely immediate or easy, but it results in genuine long-term security. True peace comes from hard work and thoughtful actions.

“Quakers always believe that talk is better than attack and that a negotiated settlement should be enabled sooner rather than later.”

We also wish to emphasise our concern that money is readily forthcoming to pay for bombing but not for the poor, the needy, the NHS or schools.

KEIGHLEY QUAKER MEETING