(RNS) — As the first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza appeared imminent, major religious groups, Jewish, Muslim and Christian, issued near-unanimous statements of relief and gratitude. But they also tempered their statements with notes of caution.
“While we’re all celebrating the immediate win,” said Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street, the liberal pro-Israel advocacy group, “to really have a long-run success here is going to require probably not just months but years of work ahead. It’s going to take real dedication. So, we’re cautious and optimistic at the same time.”
The exchange of hostages and prisoners and end to military hostilities, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump over the past week, is expected to be ratified on Thursday (Oct. 9) in a vote by Israel’s Cabinet. If the Cabinet approves the deal, it would end two years of devastating bloodshed and free some 20 living hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
Jewish organizations and leaders from around the world celebrated what they hoped were the first steps toward ending the war permanently, including the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Anti-Defamation League, the Conservative and Reform movements, the Board of Deputies of Bri …