(Credit: Christian Aid/Omar Al-Qattaa)
Amid escalating tensions in Gaza, the Church of England’s House of Bishops has made a fervent appeal for peace, advocating for a ceasefire and the acknowledgment of Palestinian sovereignty.
Gathering in York, the bishops labeled the violence over the past 20 months as a “grave sin” and condemned actions from both sides, particularly focusing on recent hostilities.
Their statement, rooted in the biblical verse, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9), decried both the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s military response.
The bishops criticized Israel’s restriction of humanitarian aid to Gaza, describing it as “collective punishment” lacking moral justification. They highlighted the targeting of hospitals, such as the Anglican Al-Ahli Hospital, and the deprivation of civilian necessities as a transition from self-defence to aggression.
“Over the last three months, the Israeli government’s deliberate denial of food and medical aid to an entire civilian population is an atrocity that defies our common humanity,” the statement read.
The bishops emphasized the right of Palestinians to live peacefully in their homeland without coerced resettlement, which they argued violates international humanitarian law.
“The continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank, the appalling levels of settler violence, and the forced displacements and house demolitions must cease,” they asserted.
Legal proceedings against the Israeli government are ongoing at the International Court of Justice, but the bishops stressed the urgency of addressing humanitarian issues without delay. “Starving children cannot wait for legal rulings given that every country has an obligation to prevent crimes against humanity,” they stated.
The bishops called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the release of hostages, urging for unrestricted UN access to provide humanitarian aid.
Backing the UK government’s decision to suspend free trade talks with Israel on 20 May, they viewed it as a step towards accountability. The bishops criticized Israeli rhetoric as dehumanizing and emphasized the necessity of recognizing a Palestinian state for lasting peace.
“To maintain the hope of a long-lasting peaceful solution, governments should now formally recognise Palestine as a sovereign and independent state. To delay further invites despair,” they insisted.
In acknowledging global demands for justice, the bishops praised Jewish individuals advocating for peace and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in the UK amid safety concerns. They strongly condemned antisemitism, including the recent murder of two Israeli embassy representatives in Washington DC.
The bishops encouraged church dioceses and congregations to support the Diocese of Jerusalem, particularly in rebuilding the Al-Ahli Anglican Hospital in Gaza. They reiterated their Easter call for prayer and action, expressing gratitude for the steadfastness of Christian communities in the region.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
