World Student Christian Movement calls for peace in Israel and Gaza

The World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), a global movement of Christian students, has called for an end to the cycle of violence in Israel and Gaza, decrying the loss of innocent lives in the name of revenge.

In a statement released by WSCF General Secretary Christine Housel and chairperson Horacio Mesones, students urged “a cessation of violence by the Israeli government and commitment to join all peace-loving people seeking true peace with justice in the region.”

“We encourage those caught in the midst of these two warring parties to reject the continual cycle of retribution and retaliation that continues to fuel violence in the region, the principle victims of which are civilians and many of whom are children,” the statement read.

“History teaches us that violence only leads to death and destruction. Retaliation always bears bitter fruit, and pushes the hope for peace further away from fruition. We urge all parties to cease this cycle of violence and sit down together in the cause of peace, not revenge. The cycle of violence and injustice must be stopped to open new possibilities for peace and prosperity for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

The statement follows a recent gathering of students from the global movement called ‘Overcoming violence in the Middle East’, which was hosted by the student Christian movement of Palestine in February this year. Students from around the world and within the region reaffirmed a commitment to work with Muslim and Jewish communities “for the full humanity of the Palestinian and Israeli people” during the weeklong programme.

SCM Britain is standing in solidarity with all those caught up in the violence and mourns the loss of life on both sides. We invite students within the UK to send messages of support to WSCF-Middle East, not only for the conflict in Israel and Gaza, but also ongoing violence affecting civilians in Iraq and Syria.

 SCM Britain is a member of the World Student Christian Federation, a global movement of more than 2 million Christian students in 107 countries. WSCF will be holding its General Assembly in August in Bogota, Colombia. www.wscfglobal.org/About-us/

The full statement on the worsening situation in Gaza, with background and questions from WSCF, can be viewed here
http://wscf-europe.org/prayer-and-solidarity/solidarity-statement/worsening-situation-gaza/

On Friday 11 July, students from Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan Jordan and Palestine joined together at a meeting of WSCF Middle East to pray for the region. The prayer is available to download here www.movement.org.uk/news/world-student-christian-movement-calls-peace-israel-and-gaza
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