Excerpt of Statement on Gaza

from the World Church Peace and Justice Team 

Grounded in our faith that upholds the inestimable worth of every person—regardless of religion or ethnicity—we affirm that the Holy Land must be a space where all communities enjoy equal dignity and rights. As members of Community of Christ committed to the reconciling purposes of God, we are called to challenge any political, cultural, or religious trends that perpetuate division and injustice. We decry war and violence.

We therefore welcome the recent but fragile ceasefire in the Middle East as a crucial step toward de-escalation. However, we are troubled by recent political proposals suggesting options which would lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. As followers of Jesus Christ, we struggle to align our enduring principles and basic beliefs with these proposals (see WCR 1311). They were quickly condemned by international security experts, other world and regional leaders, and religious leaders, as they conflict with humanitarian and human rights law and risk further destabilizing the region.

The World Council of Churches has recently issued a “Statement on the Future of Gaza” denouncing strongly recent developments and calling for a respect of international law and the promotion of equal human dignity. 

Community of Christ echoes the call for respect for international law and the promotion of equal human dignity. The path forward must be one of reconciliation, healing, and just peace for all.

We invite our members and friends to contact their national representatives, and advocate for equal dignity and full democratic and human rights for all peoples of the region.

World Council of Churches Statement

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