WCC news: WCC outraged at news of Israeli attack on hospital in Gaza, calls for justice and human dignity

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed both outrage and shock at the news of an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza. "Thousands of Palestinians who had lost their homes already were taking refuge at the hospital, run by the Anglican Church,” said WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. “The attack amounts to collective punishment, which is a war crime under International Law.” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 17 October 2023 Pillay added that the international community must hold Israel accountable for the crimes committed against civilians. “The attack makes no sense, since it was directed against a hospital, church property, patients, and families who were seeking refuge from relentless bombardment by Israel,” he said. “The attack came on the same day when church leaders in Jerusalem organized a day of prayer for peace in Gaza.” The time has come to call for a new approach to peace based on justice, said Pillay. “Violence leads to more violence, and bloodshed leads to more bloodshed,” he said. “Let the tragic events in Gaza serve as impetus for a new reality where Palestinians and Israelis enjoy peace, dignity, and security.” Read the full statement WCC calls for immediate ceasefire, urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza (WCC news release 15 October 2023) WCC, Jerusalem Heads of Churches invite all to global prayer day (WCC news release 15 October 2023) Jerusalem Heads of Churches urge addressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza (WCC news release 13 October 2023) WCC calls for a new approach to conflict in Palestine and Israel (WCC news release 13 October 2023) Statement: WCC calls for a new approach to the conflict in Palestine and Israel (13 October 2023) Church leaders in Holy Land call for de-escalation, respect for human rights (WCC news release 9 October 2023) Service of Lament for Palestine and Israel: “we solidly believe in the sanctity of life” (WCC news release 12 October 2023) WCC urgently appeals for immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine (WCC news release 7 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