Quakers oppose military action in Syria

This week Parliament prepares to vote on military action in Syria. Quakers in Britain oppose this, consistent with our belief that killing is wrong.

Quaker staff holding a banner with the slogan don't bomb Syria
Staff at Quaker central offices say

Vote expected in Parliament this week

On Thursday 26 November the Prime Minister led a debate on the case for military action in Syria. He presented his reasons for suggesting air strikes to the House of Commons and gave MPs a chance to ask questions and respond. A vote on whether the UK should engage in air strikes is expected in the next few days.

Working for peace, opposing war

Quakers in Britain work for peace. We are led by our faith to reject “outward weapons", turning instead to those of the spirit. As a faith community our religious understanding and experience is that true peace cannot be imposed by military might. Ideas cannot be removed with bombs.

There are both moral and pragmatic reasons to oppose military action in Syria. Bombs dropped from the air not only kill indiscriminately, they further increase the risk of terrorist retribution. Security comes from building peace not from supplying weapons. It comes from welcoming refugees fleeing war rather than erecting fences.

Take action now

Many Quakers have already written to their MPs to ask them not to support the air strikes. There is still time to take action before the vote in Parliament, whether by writing a letter or building community links. It is important that our elected representatives in Parliament hear our reasons for opposing military action.

Read our guide to taking action on Syria [PDF], or click below to see Quakers in Britain's statement.

Read Quakers in Britain’s statement on terrorism