‘Skeptical’ cultural leaders in Fresno react to Israel-Hamas ceasefire

FRESNO, Calif. – Even with an agreement in place on the ‘first phase’ of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over two years into their bloody conflict, local cultural leaders say they have to see what happens next to be reassured of any good news.

Since 2023, it’s the third ceasefire agreement between the two sides, with each of the previous agreements falling apart.

“This is a situation where shaking hands does not necessarily lead to something happening. So, we’ll believe it when we see it,” said Rabbi Rick Winer of Fresno’s Temple Beth Israel.

“I want to be positive and hopeful. I don’t want to see people murdered. But you have to be a little bit skeptical because we live in the world we live in,” said Hajj Reza Nekumanesh of Fresno’s Prophet Muhammad Center.

Both men, who have spoken to YourCentralValley.com on multiple occasions since the latest conflict broke out, agree that this time around, and moving forward, actions will speak the loudest.

“I will not feel comfortable or assured until the hostages, as well as the remains of hostages, have actually been returned,” said Winer.

Since the beginning, tempers and emotions around the war have run high around the world, around the country, and around California’s Central Valley.

Examples could be seen from just days after the conflict started, where in Fresno, a contested Israeli flag raising took place on Oct. 12, 2023, in the city’s Unity Park. Or, on the campus of UC Merced, which was occupied by student protestors demanding an end to the war and divestment from companies supporting Israel during a UC Board of Regents meeting at the school in May 2024.

And of course, countless protests that could be seen in front of government buildings or on street corners around the region.

“We want peace, we want calm. We want there to be an ability for Gazans to get back to life, to be able to go to school, to have doctors, to be able to rebuild,” said Nekumanesh.

Moving forward, there is some cautious hope, from both men and people on both sides, for long-term peace.

“There have continued to be people on both sides to march together, to demonstrate together, to say that we need to do this and we can do this,” Winer said.

Still, what that would look like remains to be known.

“I do hope that whatever it is moving forward, that we can see an area free of genocide, free of apartheid, free of oppression, where people can live in dignity,” Nekumanesh said.