The event, billed as A Plea for Humanity, saw around 60 people – including several families – listen to the speeches and hold a moment of silence for the victims.
Campaigner and previous human rights monitor Natalie Strecker, who organised the event, said she felt “paralysed by grief at the state of the world”.
She said: “It is my view that we must demand, this day, that our government calls on the UK government, who are responsible for our foreign policy, to push for an immediate ceasefire, to allow humanitarian aid to continue into Gaza and to support negotiations for a just peace.”
Ms Strecker described the killing of Israeli citizens by terrorist group Hamas as “a horrific event”.
She also said it was important that the military siege in Gaza of 16 years was recognised.
Watch: Natalie Strecker speaking at the event
Along with speeches, the group held a moment’s silence in memory of those killed in the conflict.
Gaza-born journalist Yousef Alhelou (pictured top) travelled to Jersey from his home in London for the event.
“As I am talking to you right now, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in what is described as ‘the world’s largest open-air prison’, with war planes flying overhead all the time,” he said, going on to urge individuals not to be “afraid of speaking out” on “inhumane actions” against innocent Palestinians.
“This is not antisemitic,” he said.
In addition to the speeches, Ms Strecker read out a statement on behalf of UK group Jews for Justice in Palestine, who called the attacks from both sides “unspeakable outrages we utterly condemn”, and played a video from former Israeli military pilot Yonatan Shapira.
Last week, religious leaders and the Chief Minister issued a joint statement saying they “continue to remember all those who suffer in the current conflict” in the Middle East.
The Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Mike Keirle; Stephen Regal, who is President of the Jersey Jewish Congregation; leader of Jersey’s Muslim community Dr Sarfraz Jamali and Chief Minister Kristina Moore met on Thursday morning in response to ongoing events.
This morning I met the Dean, the President of the Jersey Jewish Congregation and the leader of Jersey’s Muslim community. We had warm discussions and confirmed the commitment of all communities in Jersey to peace.
We have issued a joint statement – https://t.co/ncK0UjTgCvpic.twitter.com/0TUmwBry7m
— Chief Minister of Jersey (@ChiefMinJSY) October 19, 2023
“Today we are here to gather together in unanimity and harmony, hopefully to in some small way contribute to and influence future events, preserve the sanctity of life and support humanity,” the statement read.
“We need to reflect and each of us pray that the Jersey way is co-operation, not confrontation.
“We can thus demonstrate that faith leaders can be influenced by the divinity that connects us, not by the politics that might divide us.
“We continue to remember all those who suffer in the current conflict.”
Last week also saw Jersey Overseas Aid pledge £200,000 to meet the “urgent needs” of civilians trapped in Gaza.
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Islanders set to join together in a “plea for humanity”
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