WCC executive committee condemns atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza

In a minute, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee condemned the atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza by the State of Israel, recognizing that the current government is pursuing policies that are not supported by many Israelis.

“Since Israel’s destruction of Gaza began in October 2023 following the attacks in southern Israel by Hamas fighters, the scale of devastation of lives and communities in the territory has reached unspeakable levels,” the minute reads.

The minute notes that this catastrophe for the people of Gaza has deeper roots than the last two-and-a-half years of brutal armed violence. “The now openly-stated intention to re-occupy Gaza and permanently displace the Palestinian population, including refugees from 1948, amounts to a policy of ethnic cleansing that must be firmly denounced by all members of the international community who have committed themselves to international law and morality,” the minute reads.

The executive committee denounced complicity— active or passive – of other states whose action or inaction has enabled ongoing brutality.

“The World Council of Churches reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of international law and justice, without discrimination, in this and all contexts,” reads the minute.

The churches of the world cannot remain silent in the face of such appalling inhumanity, the minute concludes. The WCC executive committee also called for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the blockade, humanitarian access, and coordinated international action.

Related: Take action to end Israel’s war and US support for it; and to support an expedited and principled humanitarian response