WCC news: Jerusalem Heads of Churches urge addressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza

After an emergency committee of the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem met on 13 October, they urged immediate actions to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Roofs of the Old City of Jerusalem taken from the spire at the Church of The Redeemer. Photo: Sean Hawkey/Life on Earth 13 October 2023 “Our beloved Holy Land has changed dramatically over the past week,” their statement reads. “We are witnessing a new cycle of violence with an unjustifiable attack against all civilians.” As tensions continue to rise, more innocent and vulnerable people are paying the ultimate price, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches noted. “The order to evacuate the north of Gaza and to ask 1.1 million people—including all the members of our Christian communities there—to relocate to the south within 24 hours will only deepen an already disastrous humanitarian catastrophe,” the statement reads. “Gaza's entire population is being deprived of electricity, water, fuel supplies, food, and medicine.” According to UN sources, 423,000 people have already been displaced because of the destruction of their homes. “Many civilians in Gaza have said to us that there are no realistic ways in which they can evacuate to safety in any direction,” reads the statement, which also calls upon Israel and the international community to allow humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza.  “Moreover, we call upon all parties to de-escalate this war in order to save innocent lives while still serving the cause of justice,” reads the statement, which also invites all those of goodwill around the world to observe a Day of Prayer and Fasting on 17 October. Read the full statement Church leaders in Holy Land call for de-escalation, respect for human rights (WCC news release 12 October 2023) See more

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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland