Philippine Church Leaders’ Statement for Just Peace in Palestine
“Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:20, ESV
We church leaders in the Philippines express our great shock and indignation at the act of terrorism perpetrated by the apartheid state of Israel on hundreds of international peace activists aboard the Mavi Marmara, the flagship of Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a six-vessel fleet carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.
We condemn the disproportionate use of lethal force by Israeli naval commandos that killed at least ten and injured dozens of civilians armed only with sticks and metal bars and a tenacious resolve to deliver relief supplies to the besieged people of Gaza.
We demand the immediate release of the more than 480 foreign activists seized from the raid who are now being held by Israeli authorities in a prison in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba.
This incident is a stark reminder that the Israeli blockade on Gaza—backed by the United States and the European Union—can no longer continue. During this World Week for Peace in Palestine-Israel being convened by the World Council of Churches, we join faith-based and civil society groups around the world in calling on the Israeli government to end the isolation of Gaza and the collective punishment of its 1.5 million residents.
It is now more than 60 years since the partition of Palestine hardened into a permanent nightmare for Palestinians. It’s been more than 40 years since Israel’s forcible occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Just peace in Palestine is long overdue.
It’s time to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian lands. It’s time for Israel to stop bulldozing Palestinian homes and to urgently implement a freeze on all settlement construction as a first step towards the dismantlement of all settlements.
It’s time to end the dispossession of the Palestinian people and the violation of their human rights and dignity. It’s time for Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination.
It’s time for Palestinians who have been refugees for 60 years to have the right of return to their homes.
It’s time to do away with apartheid and double standards. The Separation Barrier is a grave breach of international and humanitarian law, and must be removed from occupied territory. It’s time to stop discrimination, segregation and restrictions on movement.
It’s time to stop the recent Israeli military order that will categorize tens of thousands of Palestinians living in the West Bank as “infiltrators” – ostensibly because they lack the proper permits – and give military officers sweeping control over their deportation. This order regarding “Prevention of Infiltration” (Amendment No. 2) issued by the Israeli military authorities must be revoked now.
It’s time for healing to begin in the land called holy. Jerusalem must be an open, inclusive and shared city in terms of sovereignty and citizenship. The rights of its communities must be guaranteed Muslim, Jewish and Christian, Palestinian and Israeli—including access to Holy Places and freedom of worship.
Now is the time for each one of us to speak out and act, fulfilling our Christian vocation as peacemakers. IT’S TIME FOR FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION AND OCCUPATION.
3 June 2010
Signed by the following church leaders and individuals:
| Bishop Deogracias Iniguez Co-Chairperson, Ecumenical Bishops Forum & Chairperson, Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines |
Rev. Fr. Rex R.B. Reyes, Jr. General Secretary, National Council of Churches in the Philippines |
| Bishop Nathanael Lazaro Chairperson, National Council of Churches in the Philippines & General Superintendent, Iglesia Evangelica Methodista En Las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF) |
The Most Rev. Edward P. Malecdan Prime Bishop, Episcopal Church in the Philippines |
| The Most Rev. Godofredo David Supreme Bishop, Iglesia Filipina Independiente |
Bishop Ephraim Fajutagana General Secretary, Iglesia Filipina Independiente |
| Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza General Secretary, United Church of Christ in the Philippines |
Bishop Solito Toquero United Methodist Church & Co-Chairperson Ecumencial Bishops Forum |
| Bishop Elmer M. Bolocon Executive Secretary, Ecumenical Bishops Forum & Bishop Emeritus, United Church of Christ in the Philippines |
Bishop Warlito Baldomero Iglesia Filipina Independiente |
| Bishop Roel Mendoza United Church of Christ in the Philippines |
Bishop Bert Calang Iglesia Filipina Independiente & Chairperson, In-Peace Mindanao |
| Bishop Elorde M. Sambat North Luzon Jurisdiction, United Church of Christ in the Philippines |
Bishop Gabriel Garol Bishop Emeritus, United Church of Christ in the Philippines |
| Bishop Lito Cruz Iglesia Filipina Independiente |
Sr. Angelita Navarro ICM |
|
Ms. Phoebe Gamata Crismo |
Sr. Rosario Battung RGS |
| Ms. Norma Dollaga General Secretary, KASIMBAYAN |
Ms. Iris Ann Agustin-Capus Program Officer, KONTAK Phils. |
| Ms. Corazon Tabing-Reyes Executive Secretary, Fellowship of the Least Coin- International |
Rev. Fr. Erah Cabillas |
| Rev. Manuel Rapisura Central United Methodist Church |
Rev. Fr. Antonio Tayco Iglesia Filipina Independiente |
| Rev. Fr. Dionito Cabillas Iglesia Filipina Independiente |
Rev. Fr. Edoi Ruazol Iglesia Filipina Independiente |
| Rev. Marisol Villalon United Methodist Church |
Dr. Ferdinand Anno President, Union Theological Seminary |
| Rev. Dionisio Sanchez United Church of Christ in the Philippines |
Prof. Fructuoso Sabug, Jr. Co-Convenor, Philippine Solidarity for Just Peace in Palestine |
| Ms. Carmencita Karagdag Coordinator, Peace for Life |
Rev. Kenneth V. Aguilera UNIDA |
| Mr. Nardy Sabino General Secretary, Promotions of Church Peoples Response |
Ms. Norma P. Dollaga General Secretary, KASIMBAYAN |
| Miss Ofelia A. Cantor Ecumenical Bishops Forum |
Miss Johanna May Cantor- de La Cruz National Council of Church in the Phils. |
And other individuals who have signed the statement but have their signatures to be attached still.