wfn.org | WARC - End the violence in Gaza

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> World Alliance of Reformed Churches
> News Release
> 7 January 2009

> End the violence in Gaza

As the number of deaths in Gaza rises, the World Alliance of Reformed 
Churches (WARC) is calling on all parties involved in the fighting to 
end the violence and agree to an immediate cease-fire.  In a 
statement released today, leaders of Geneva-based organization 
stressed the urgent need to open the borders of Gaza to humanitarian 
aid and medical assistance for the sick and wounded.

"None of the violence is acceptable," said WARC's president, Clifton 
Kirkpatrick and general secretary, Setri Nyomi.  "The rockets from 
Gaza aimed at Israeli communities are destructive and the suicide 
bombing incidents cannot be condoned. They constitute a violation of 
the sanctity of life.  We strongly condemn the air and ground 
assaults from the Israeli Defence Forces leading to senseless deaths 
and injury to hundreds of people.  These must end immediately."

> The full statement follows.

A CALL TO PRAYER AND ACTION TO END THE VIOLENCE IN GAZA
From the World Alliance of Reformed Churches

As the number of deaths in Gaza continue to rise, the World Alliance 
of Reformed Churches (WARC) calls upon our member churches to be in 
prayer for those who suffer because of this violence and conflict and 
for a lasting peace with justice in this region of the world.  We 
also call upon all parties involved in the fighting to bring an end 
to the violence and to agree to an immediate cease-fire.  The borders 
of Gaza must be opened, and soon, to humanitarian aid and desperately 
needed medical assistance for the sick and wounded. To this end, it 
is imperative that the United Nations and the international community 
press the warring parties to bring an end to the violence.

None of the violence is acceptable. The rockets from Gaza aimed at 
Israeli communities are destructive and the suicide bombing incidents 
cannot be condoned. They constitute a violation of the sanctity of 
life.  We strongly condemn the air and ground assaults from the 
Israeli Defence Forces leading to senseless deaths and injury to 
hundreds of people.  These must end immediately.

While every effort must be made to bring an end to the immediate 
hostilities, we must also recognize that this violence in Gaza is 
only one symptom of the decades-long failure of the international 
community, the Israeli government and the leadership of the 
Palestinian community to achieve a just and lasting peace that 
ensures the security, well-being, and self-determination for both the 
Israeli and Palestinian people.  As has been said often, peace is not 
only the absence of violence but also the presence of justice.  We 
must all pray and work for an end to blockades, illegal settlements, 
suicide bombings, walls of separation, and all other conditions of 
oppression that prevent people in Palestine and Israel from 
experiencing the life in fullness that God intends for all.

We yearn for an end to 60 years of uncertainty, violence and 
oppression, all of which has left its scars on all parties regardless 
of ethnic, religious or political identification. It is our fervent 
prayer for an end to this current violence in Gaza, recognizing that 
no real peace can be the issue of a cease-fire that is not followed 
by new determination by all parties that it is time for genuine 
commitment to a just peace.

We call on all our member churches to pray for all those who have 
been affected by these callous developments and engage in actions to 
stop the carnage and build a just and lasting peace.

Setri Nyomi                                 Clifton Kirkpatrick
General Secretary                        President

> ***

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) brings together 75 
million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries - united 
in their commitment to making a difference in a troubled world. The 
WARC general secretary is Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the Evangelical 
Presbyterian Church, Ghana. WARC's secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

> Contact:
> Kristine Greenaway
> Executive Secretary, Communications
> World Alliance of Reformed Churches
> 150 Route de Ferney
> P.O. Box 2100
> 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
> tel.  +41.22 791 6243
> fax: +41.22 791 6505
> web: www.warc.ch