Lexington mayor, local leaders release statement for peace, safety amid Israel-Hamas war

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — Lexington’s mayor and police chief, alongside groups of Jewish and Mulism/Palestinian leaders, released a joint statement on Tuesday asking for peace and safety in the city.

The statement is an appeal for peace in Gaza and Israel, and a united stance to “keep Lexington peaceful, and all of its residents safe,” Mayor Linda Gorton said.

The statement is as follows:

“As the world witnesses fighting in Gaza and Israel, Lexington prays for peace.

When the violence spills over into our country, with extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities, Lexington says not here.

Even at this time of turmoil and division, we must remember what unites us as creatures created in the Divine image. Loving one’s neighbor as oneself makes no exception for neighbors whose ways we approve of and those whom we do not. We do not have to agree about the solution to the crisis to treat one another with respect, acknowledge each other’s grief, affirm each other’s humanity, and pray for a future where cruelty and violence are replaced with compassion and peace.

We as leaders of Lexington’s faith community, business, government, public safety agencies, community groups, and civic organizations. We represent different religions, different backgrounds, and different ways of life.

Proud of — and strengthened by — our diversity, we stand united in our determination to keep Lexington peaceful, and all of its residents safe.”

It was signed by the following people:

• Mayor Linda Gorton
• Rabbi Shani Abramowitz, Ohavay Zion Synagogue
• Imam Shaheed Coovadia, Masjid Bilal
• Nick Fain, Temple Adath Israel
• Dr. Jamil Farooqui, President Masjid Bilal lbn Rabah
• V. Rev. Fr. Thomas Gallaway, Pastor of St. Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church
• Mindy Haas, Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass
• Rich Ornstein, Temple Adath Israel
• Charlie Oudeh, Ramallah Club
• Dr. Nadia Rasheed, MD
• Justin Sadle, Jewish Community Relations Council
• Tyler Scott, Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff
• Isabel Taylor, Lexington Multicultural Affairs Coordinator
• Lawrence Weather, Lexington Police Chief
• Rabbi David Wirtschafter, Temple Adath Israel

• Councilmember-at-Large Chuck Ellinger
• Councilmember Tanya Fogle, 1st District
• Councilmember Hannah LeGris, 3rd District
• Councilmember Brenda Monarrez, 4th District
• Councilmember Liz Sheehan, 5th District
• Councilmember Preston Worley, 7th District
• Councilmember Fred Brown, 8th District
• Councilmember Whitney Baxter, 9th District
• Councilmember Dave Sevigny, 10th District
• Councilmember Kathy Plomin, 12th District

• The Ven. Laurie Brock, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
• Rev. Brandon L. Gilvin, Senior Minister, Central Christian Church
• Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, Fayette County Public Schools
• P.G. Peeples Sr., President/CEO, Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County
• Robert L. Quick, IOM, CCE, President & CEO, Commerce Lexington
• Bishop John Stowe, OFM, Conv., Catholic Diocese of Lexington

If you’d like to add your name to the statement, you can by emailing your name and address to mayor@lexington.gov.