NJPN statement on Gaza

Image: Christian Aid

We, the delegates of the 2025 Conference of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, gathered in Swanwick stand in solidarity with all those suffering the horrors of war in Palestine and Israel.

Echoing the urgent appeal of Pope Francis:

"I follow with great concern the extremely serious humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the civilian population is crushed by hunger and continues to be exposed to violence and death... Every human person has an intrinsic dignity bestowed by God Himself... I urge negotiating a future of peace for all peoples and rejecting anything that could jeopardise it."

We share the Pope's profound alarm at the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and reaffirm the Church's unwavering commitment to the dignity of every human being-regardless of nationality, religion, or political identity

The continued bombardment of Gaza, the illegal occupation of the West Bank, and the targeting of civilians, humanitarian workers, and journalists are not isolated tragedies-they are violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. As Mary Robinson recently told the UN:

"We are witnessing an unfolding genocide in Gaza."

The International Court of Justice has affirmed that Israel's actions in the West Bank amount to de facto annexation and breach international obligations on racial segregation and apartheid.

We grieve all lives lost-Palestinian and Israeli-and condemn indiscriminate violence and hostage-taking by all parties. But the scale and intensity of Israel's military response is overwhelmingly disproportionate and morally indefensible.

There can be no Peace without justice. The time for silence is over. The time for prophetic action is now.

To the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales

We urge you to:

- Publicly and unequivocally condemn the Israeli Government's war of aggression in Gaza;
- Speak out against the use of starvation, denial of healthcare, and targeting of civilians-grave breaches of international law;
- Raise your voice, in the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching, for a peace rooted in human dignity, equality, and justice for all.

To the British Government and all political leaders

We call for principled and urgent action to uphold international law and human rights:

- Secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces;
- Guarantee the safe and unrestricted delivery of all humanitarian aid;
- Impose a comprehensive arms embargo and end all military cooperation with Israel;
- Secure the release of all hostages-Israeli and Palestinian alike;
- Recognise the State of Palestine without conditions or delay;
- Suspend trade with illegal Israeli settlements and with entities complicit in occupation or war crimes;
- End the blockade of Gaza and dismantle the occupation of the West Bank;
- Pursue international accountability for violations of humanitarian law-by Hamas, Israeli forces, and settlers. - Enforce targeted sanctions to end impunity and uphold justice.

His Eminence, Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has appealed to us, and the international community, to do what is right for everyone, in a way that restores human dignity. He said:

'it is time to end this nonsense, end the war and put the common good of people as the top priority.'
'Let us not turn peace into a slogan, while war remains the daily bread of the poor.'

As people of faith and conscience, we must not settle for a fragile peace maintained by fear, nor a silence born of complicity. We are called to a Just Peace-a peace that refuses to dehumanise, that dismantles injustice, and that centres the common good of all people.

The time is now-to speak, to act, and to stand with courage for a future rooted in justice, human dignity, and the radical hope that peace is possible.

Anne Peacey,

Chair, NJPN conference Planning Group