Over 140 Christian leaders from various denominations have joined forces in a poignant plea to US President Joe Biden, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to foreign military support for Israel.
Organized by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a coalition of more than 30 national church communions and organizations, the statement underscores a unified stance among Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical leaders. Their collective voice amplifies a message of solidarity with all those affected by the conflict in the Holy Land.
“As Christians around the world prepare to commemorate the final suffering in the earthly life of Jesus Christ during Holy Week, we stand in solidarity with all in the Holy Land who suffer,” reads the opening of the letter addressed to President Biden.
The signatories, including notable figures such as Roman Catholic Cardinal Alvaro Ramazzini of Guatemala, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton, and Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, emphasize the significance of the upcoming Passion Week. They stress the importance of repentance for not standing alongside Palestinian siblings during their time of grief, agony, and sorrow.
The letter draws attention to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating that more than 15% of young children under the age of 2 are displaying signs of malnutrition and irreversible wasting. Such harrowing statistics underscore the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities and the prioritization of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians.
Furthermore, the Christian leaders urge the United States and other nations to halt additional military support and arms to Israel. They vehemently reject complicity in the ongoing military campaign that inflicts devastating effects on civilians in Gaza.
The breadth of support from diverse Christian backgrounds underscores the gravity of the situation and the moral imperative for action. Signatories of the CMEP letter include progressive Evangelical activists Shane Claiborne and Jim Wallis, as well as leaders from the Mennonite, Quaker, and United Church of Christ communities.
In a world fraught with conflict and division, this unified call for peace and justice resonates not only within Christian communities but also across the international stage. As the global community grapples with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the voices of these Christian leaders serve as a beacon of hope, advocating for compassion, empathy, and a renewed commitment to the pursuit of lasting peace in the region.