World churches condemn killings in Hebron

The Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, has condemned the killings of four Israeli settlers near Hebron in the West Bank yesterday and expressed his condolences to the affected families. He rejects any use of violence as a means to gain the much-desired and needed peace for this region.

"At a time when Palestinian and Israeli leaders are beginning negotiations, the extremists who encourage and legitimize violence must not be allowed to succeed", said Tveit in a statement.

"To bring security to both Israelis and Palestinians, the negotiations must stop the occupation and all the injustices that ordinary Palestinians experience each day", he continued.

The general secretary added that he and the WCC are praying for the success of the negotiations: "It is urgent that the leaders take the necessary steps toward a just peace and not bring another moment of disappointment and injustice to the people in the region."

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church.