Christian Peace groups urge UK government to work to de-escalate Middle East crisis

Oct 24th, 2023

As the death toll in Gaza, from Israel's ongoing bombardment, has reached over 5,000, including more than 2,000 children, and more than half the population have had their homes destroyed - and there has been a dramatic increase in evictions and killings of Palestinians in the West Bank - the Network of Christian Peace Organisations has written to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly MP urging the UK government to use its influence to calm the violence. They write:

Dear Foreign Secretary,

We write to you in response to the outbreak of violence in Israel and Palestine. We urge the UK Government to use its influence to help create space for de-escalation and meaningful dialogue in the coming days and weeks, to urgently avert a deepening humanitarian crisis and military conflict that could cost many more lives than have already been tragically lost.

Indiscriminate attacks on civilians violate international humanitarian law. We condemn the Hamas attacks on civilians and the taking of civilian hostages. We also condemn the response of the Israeli Government in bombing of Gaza and targeting of the civilian population. The increased restrictions and complete cutting off of water, electricity, food and fuel constitute collective punishment and will create an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exceeding that which already exists as a result of the 16-year blockade.

We are deeply saddened by the continued violence in the region and urge you work for dialogue and de-escalation. We ask you to support measures for the immediate protection of civilians including a ceasefire, adherence by all parties to international law, and the UN's call for humanitarian corridors.

Long held concerns about land, peace and security have not been prioritised by the international community. The only way to break the cycle of violence and build a lasting peace is to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza and create conditions of justice, equality and peace for all Israelis and Palestinians.

As people of faith, we stand against the Islamophobia and antisemitism many individuals in this country may face as a result of violence in the Middle East. We will do what we can to de-escalate these tensions.

We ask you to avoid supporting polarised arguments and apportioning blame. We ask you to support measures that do not rely on military security but instead build a lasting peace based on justice and equality for all.

Yours sincerely

Ann Farr, Chair, Pax Christi England and Wales

Sue Claydon, Chair, Anglican Pacifist Fellowship

Rev Dr Barbara Glasson, President Methodist Peace Fellowship

Deacon Angie Allport, Secretary, Methodist Peace Fellowship

John Cooper, Director, Fellowship of Reconciliation

Simon Barrow, Director of Ekklesia

Oliver Robertson, Head of Witness and Worship, Quakers in Britain

Philip Austin, Coordinator, Northern Friends Peace Board

Andrew Fox, British Isles Mission Centre President, Community of Christ

Charlotte Marshall, Director, Sabeel-Kairos UK

Lydia Funck, General Secretary, Church and Peace - Ecumenical peace church network in Europe