This statement was read into the Monroe County public record on Tuesday, October 10.

As the casualties rise in and around Israel and Gaza, our hearts break for our sisters and brothers who are caught up in this violence. 

Yet, I recognize this is neither the time nor the place to pretend to be an expert on international relations, nor middle East peace.

Instead, it is a time for allyship:

• For those of you in Monroe County, who spent this week getting in touch with relatives overseas, we hear you.

• For those of you who still cannot get a hold of your loved ones, we yearn for your relief.

• For those of you who have lost sleep or experience an increase in anxiety as the uncertainty of the situation persists, we ache with you in a desire for peace.

• For those of you who stood in Dunn Meadow or watched online, we see you.

Now is the time that I stand as an elected official as an accomplice in love, that I publicly reaffirm our community values of religious tolerance, understanding, and acceptance.

• This is not the community where hate will grow.

• This is not a County that will tolerate prejudice.

We are Monroe County, and we are united against hate.

This Peter’s Perspective post is part of a larger community conversation on DEI in Monroe County Indiana that you can see at PeterIversen.org/DEI.

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If you aren’t sure and would like to talk with Peter more about his DEI plan, schedule a time at PeterIversen.org/contact.