Alabama officials, religious leaders react to Israel-Hamas ceasefire

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Some of Alabama’s elected officials and religious leaders are reacting to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Hamza Abu-Hamdeh, who’s with the Young Palestinians of Birmingham, said he is cautiously optimistic about the agreement between Israel and Palestine. He said he would like to see national recognition of the right to self-determination for Palestinians.

“We do share the joy with the people in Gaza who have suffered so much over the last two years and not just the last two years but for many years,” Abu-Hamdeh said. “We are happy when they experience relief, but we also understand that much more is needed to change in order for there to be lasting justice and peace.”

Abu-Hamdeh said justice comes with accountability for Israel’s part in the war. State Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, said that accountability is on the part of Hamas, however.

Ensler, who serves as the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama, said this is a moment of immense joy.

“I sympathize and understand that there has been a tremendous amount of suffering all around,” Ensler said. “But Hamas should not have started this war, and the world needs to be free from Hamas moving forward.”

Republican state leaders said the peace deal has implications on the world stage as well.

“I think the big thing is it’s opening the doors for countries that have been hostile toward each other for a long time,” said state Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston. “This is an avenue for something that they can work together on.”

“This is truly a historic day, not just for America, not just for Israel, but for the world,” said state Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City. “We pray that peace has finally come to the Middle East.”

Ensler said he hopes the people of Israel and Palestine can work toward living peacefully side by side in a way where neither is threatened by terrorism.