On second anniversary of 7 October 2023, WCC extends prayerful remembrance
On the second anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep sorrow and joined in prayerful remembrance for all those who have suffered the consequences of that day and of the devastating war that has followed.
“The WCC unequivocally condemns the attacks against civilians and communities carried out by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October 2023, which constitute crimes against humanity and violations of fundamental morality,” he said. “We continue to pray for the victims, the survivors, and those who remain in captivity.”
Two years on, Pillay said, the world witnesses a human catastrophe in Gaza of unprecedented scale.
“Tens of thousands of civilians—most of them women and children—have been killed, and almost the entire population has been displaced amid famine, disease, and destruction,” he said. “The WCC condemns the collective punishment by Israel of a civilian population, in violation of international law and moral conscience.”
Pillay affirmed that the tragic cycle of violence will not be broken without addressing its underlying causes. “Decades of occupation, blockade, and systemic inequality have perpetuated insecurity and eroded hope for a just peace,” he said. “A sustainable future for both Palestinians and Israelis depends on upholding international law, ensuring equal rights and dignity for all, and advancing a genuine political process grounded in justice and mutual recognition.”
Pillay noted the recently presented peace plan for Gaza under the auspices of the United States and Israel. “We welcome elements that aim at ending hostilities, enabling humanitarian relief and reconstruction, affirming the right of the people of Gaza to remain on their land, and the release of hostages and prisoners,” he said. “Yet for this plan to offer true hope, it must ensure the meaningful participation of Palestinians in determining their own future, guarantee the protection of civilians, and open a genuine political horizon towards a in which Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace, dignity and mutual security.”