Holy Land Christians appeal: Support Gaza’s Right to Life

Elderly man near the site of his home

As the death toll in Gaza grows - at least 18 children and more than 50 men and women have been killed in Israeli air attacks, the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine has sent us this desperate appeal. They write:

Justice and security are two sides of the same coin. Israel’s security can never be an excuse for denying justice to the Palestinian people.

In the spirit of the living God who sanctifies all life and in keeping with our faith and its teachings, we appeal to all people across the world to work with their fellow citizens and governments to end Israel’s Operation Protective Edge and the brutal military siege that has been going on for the past seven years, which includes a naval and economic blockade. Gaza has no port or airpor, thus no way to import or export its products.

This is not an escalation or a war. Gaza has no military or ability to protect itself other than to fire some homemade rockets. The 1.7 million people, mostly children (two thirds of the population) are also mostly refugees (1.1 million) from areas of 1948 and 1967.

Furthermore under the Fourth Geneva Convention, Palestinians, as a militarily occupied people, have the right to defend themselves.

Our justice loving God demands us to speak out on behalf of the security for all people. In the name of the Advocate Spirit, we ask you to speak out now to call a halt to this long term offensive operation which aims to wipe out a legally elected government and its people.

Whether you think the new unity government is viable or not, or if Hamas is a terrorist organization or not, or whether you think they might have been behind the death of the three Israeli teens murdered near Hebron, it is against international law to collectively punish or target them. It is not only inhumane. It is a war crime.

As of July 10, the date of this Appeal, Israeli military struck 430 targets across the Gaza Strip. 77 people have been reported dead and more than 500 wounded.. The majority of the dead are civilians. 18 are children including a baby one month old.

We pray for the memory of those killed. Each of them has a name and a family who is suffering great loss. We also pray for all those wounded or injured in body, mind, or spirit. We pray for solace and comfort also for the families whose homes, businesses, agricultural fields, or fishing boats that have also been destroyed. We pray for the people of Gaza and ask that God be with them.

Support Palestinian’s right to life by joining with Christians throughout the world in their call for a just peace in this land that all call holy. We have been down this road one too many times and know what will happen if we fail to act. Please join us through letters and petitions to your government officials to raise awareness about this offensive military operation and Gaza’s ongoing siege. Ask them to pressure Israel to stop its brutal assault or face sanctions from the international community.

Support Palestinian’s right to life by joining with Christians throughout the world in their call for a just peace in this land that all call holy.

Signed by the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine

Arab Catholic Scouts Group
Arab Orthodox Society – Jerusalem
Caritas-Jerusalem
Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees
Middle East Council of Churches
Greek Catholic Sayedat AlBishara Association
International Christian Committee
Laity Committee in the Holy Land •
National Christian Association
Pontifical Mission Palestine
SABEEL – Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
Seeds of Better life
Union of Arab Orthodox Club Jerusalem
Young Men’s Christian Association –YMCA
Young Women’s Christian Association –YWCA
Gaza NECC office
Bethlehem (NCOB) Network of Christian Organizations in Bethlehem
The East Jerusalem YMCA /Beit Sahour Branch
The Arab Educational Institute,
Holy Land Trust, Bethlehem • Wi’am Center, Bethlehem
Saint Afram Assyrian Society,
Holy Land ChristiansEcumenical Foundation, Bethlehem
Al-Ihsan Arab Orthodox Society, Beit Jala
Arab Orthodox Club, Beit Sahour
Arab Orthodox Club, Beit Jala
Arab Orthodox Club Bethlehem
The Arab Orthodox Charitable Society, Beit Sahour
Bethlehem Bible College
Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies
Alternative Tourism Group,
ATG, Beit Sahour
Senior Citizen Charitable Society •
Environmental educational Center, Beit Jala
Saint Vincent Charitable Society, Beit Jala
Shepherds' Children Society, Beit Sahour