Rabbi Yose HaGalili says, “How meritorious is peace? Even in time of war Jewish law requires that one initiate discussions of peace.” (Leviticus Rabbah, Tzav 9);
Whereas the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries remain engaged in armed conflict in Iraq;
Whereas Judaism affirms the justice of war only as a response to life-threatening aggression, current or anticipated;
Whereas Judaism also affirms the supreme value of peace and peacemaking;