An urgent call from The Heads of Churches to the members of Fateh and Hamas
A call for prayer for the situation in Gaza – 6-14-07
The Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte, Executive Minister of UCC Wider Church Ministries and co-executive of Global Ministries, encourages all our UCC and Disciples churches to join the heads of churches in Jerusalem in prayer and advocacy this week for a cessation of violence and a peaceful resolution to the difficult situation in Gaza between Hamas and Fateh. We have historic and strong relationships with many of the churches these church leaders represent. We deeply respect their voice and we know of their commitment to non-violent resolution to the terrible suffering and the problems in Gaza and the West Bank which are exacerbated by the lack of a negotiated peace with Israel. We join these church leaders in Jerusalem in a call for an eventual two-state solution where both Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace and security without fear of violence.
A call for prayer for the situation in Gaza – 6-14-07
The Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte, Executive Minister of UCC Wider Church Ministries and co-executive of Global Ministries, encourages all our UCC and Disciples churches to join the heads of churches in Jerusalem in prayer and advocacy this week for a cessation of violence and a peaceful resolution to the difficult situation in Gaza between Hamas and Fateh. We have historic and strong relationships with many of the churches these church leaders represent. We deeply respect their voice and we know of their commitment to non-violent resolution to the terrible suffering and the problems in Gaza and the West Bank which are exacerbated by the lack of a negotiated peace with Israel. We join these church leaders in Jerusalem in a call for an eventual two-state solution where both Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace and security without fear of violence.
An urgent call from The Heads of Churches to the members of Fateh and Hamas
On the recent 40th Anniversary of the Occupation we urged all sides to work for peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. How painful and awful then that now we have to say stop all domestic fighting.
The fighting has struck at the most vulnerable timing thus diverting International attention away from the National issue with its priorities and so disappointing the Palestinian people’s hope of attaining independence together with freedom from Occupation with its related aspects.
This domestic fighting where the brother draws his weapon in the face of his brother is detrimental to all the aspirations of achieving security and stability for the Palestinian People.
In the name of the One and only God as well as in the name of each devastated Palestinian many of whom are still dying, we urge our brothers in Fateh and Hamas movements to listen to the voice of reason, truth and wisdom. So we implore that you immediately announce the cessation of all bloody fighting and to return back to the path of dialogue and attempt through understanding to solve all differences. In this urgent appeal we would draw attention to that which both parties have in common assuring them that it is greater that their differences. The national and land cause must be greater than any other consideration.
In this belief we urgently ask both movements to listen and put aside all weapons so concentrating on ending the Occupation in a peaceful manner based on National fundamentals and International legitimacy in order to achieve freedom for all the people together with an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its Capital.
June 14, 2007
Yusef Daher
Executive Secretary
Jerusalem Inter-Church Center – JIC