The Jerusalem church leaders have issued a new call for “the urgent need to conclude the present war, to turn from the pursuit of death and destruction towards the promotion of life and peace.”
The statement clearly avoids the sort of formula that Kamala Harris has used – in her acceptance speech in Chicago. What Kamala Harris said and the church leaders don’t are the specifics. “Let me be clear: I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will
always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself,” Harris said. “Because the people of Israel
must never again face the horror that the terrorist organization Hamas caused on
October 7th. Including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young
people at a music festival.
“At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is
devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for
safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.
President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the
hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can
realize their right to dignity. Security. Freedom. And self-determination.”
The response by critics such as Hugh Hewett of the Salem Christian Radionetwork has been to ask if putting the two tragedies of the Gaza war together amounts to saying they are morally equivalent.
But the church leaders can’t go there. But here is what they do say, which is as powerful in its own way as the Chicago speech.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9
“As we rapidly approach the twelfth month of the present devastating war, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, feel compelled to once again express our grave concerns over its dire direction. For despite repeated calls for the de-escalation of violence from ourselves and the international community, the situation in our beloved Holy Land has only continued to deteriorate.
“Millions of refugees remain displaced, their homes inaccessible, destroyed, or beyond repair. Hundreds of innocents are weekly killed or severely wounded by indiscriminate attacks. Countless others continue to endure hunger, thirst, and infectious disease. Among these are those languishing in captivity on all sides, who additionally face the risk of ill-treatment from their captors. Still others, far from the battlefields, have suffered unchecked attacks against their villages, pastures, and farmlands.
“Throughout this all, ceasefire negotiations have dragged on interminably, with the leaders of the warring parties seemingly more concerned with political considerations than bringing an end to the pursuit of death and destruction. These repeated delays, coupled with other provocative acts, have only served to heighten tensions to the point where we stand at the precipice of a full-blown regional war.
“In view of these alarming developments, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, once again implore the leaders of the warring parties to heed our calls and those of the international community (UNSC Resolution 2735) to reach a rapid agreement for a ceasefire resulting in the end of the war, the release of all captives, the return of the displaced, the treatment of the sick and wounded, the relief of those who hunger and thirst, and the rebuilding of all public and private civilian structures that have been destroyed.
“Just as importantly, we call upon the leaders of these peoples, in concert with the international community, to take up without delay diplomatic discussions addressing longstanding grievances between them, leading to concrete steps that promote a just and lasting peace in our region through the adoption of an internationally legitimate two-state solution.
“While issuing these calls in the best interests of all who inhabit the region, we express our special concern for those Christian communities under our pastoral charge. These include those taking refuge in Gaza at St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church and Holy Family Catholic Church, as well as the courageous staff of al-Ahli Anglican Hospital and the patients under their care. We pledge to them our continued prayers and support both now and at the conclusion of the war, when we will labor together to rebuild and strengthen the Christian presence in Gaza, as well as throughout the Holy Land.
“Finally, we appeal to Christians and all those of goodwill around the world to promote a vision of life and peace throughout our war-torn region, recalling Christ’s words, quoted above: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). During this time of extreme crisis, let us all recommit ourselves towards working and praying together in the hope that, by the grace of the Almighty, we might begin to realize this sacred vision of peace among all God’s children.
The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
Australian support al-Ahli Anglican Hospital in Gaza
The Australian Board of Mission aid agency is fundraising for this Anglican hospital in Gaza City which re-opened in July after being forced to close. Al Ahli Arab Hospital has been ministering as a Christian witness in Gaza City since 1882. The institution was founded by the Church of England’s Church Mission Society and was later run as a medical mission by the Southern Baptist Conference from 1954 to 1982. It then returned to the Anglican Church. The appeal page is https://www.abmission.org/appeals/emergency-appeals/al-ahli-hospital-emergency-appeal/
Image: Al Ahli Arab Hospital gate in Gaza City Image Credit: Mary Frances Schjonberg/Episcopal News Service