Pax Christi calls for prayers for Gaza Flotilla victims
Catholic peace movement Pax Christi issued the following statement this afternoon:
Pax Christi is deeply shocked at the dramatic military actions of the Israeli Defence Forces against the Gaza Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have been killed and injured.
One of the campaigners taking part is Mairead Corrigan Maguire, a peace partner of Pax Christi, and founder of Peace People in Northern Ireland. We have had no word from her recently. The Gaza Flotilla is an international project including peace campaigners, politicians, academics, writers and film makers who are legitimately showing their solidarity and concern for the people of Gaza who have lived under siege since 2007.
This current tragedy reflects the lack of rigourous political action towards the Israeli Government for the on-going siege of Gaza, for the lack of accountability following the war on Gaza in 2008/9 and for the continued illegal occupation by Israel of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
This week, 29 May - 4 June is a World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, a project of the World Council of Churches, supported by Pax Christi. We call on faith communities to come together during this week to pray for the people of Gaza and the West Bank, to pray for peacemakers in Israel and Palestine and to explore common ways of working in solidarity for a just and peaceful resolution of the on-going conflict.
For more information see: www.paxchristi.org.uk