The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed (Psalm 103:6)

The 2017 General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) affirmed:

“that, with respect to the situation of injustice and suffering that exists in Palestine, and the cry of the Palestinian Christian community, the integrity of Christian faith and praxis is at stake”

It encouraged member churches to examine their mission, education and investment relationships with Israel and Palestine in light of the witness of Palestinian Christians and to respond as they understand the Reformed Communion’s commitments to human rights and the protections of international law;  and encouraged the Executive Committee to seek to strengthen initiatives for dialogues, civil peace services, mediation, conflict prevention and transformation.

In Gaza, on Monday, the 14^th of May 2018, more than 60 peaceful protesters including children were killed and over 2700 people injured in what the UN human rights chief has described a “wholly disproportionate” response to peaceful protests. Largely peaceful demonstrators commemorating the Nakba and protesting the opening of the United States of America’s embassy in Jerusalem were attacked by Israeli military forces which led to these fatalities and casualties.  The Nakba remembers the displacement and dispossession of more than 750,000 Palestinians following the establishment of the State of Israel on the 14^th of May 1948 that created a refugee population which includes at least six million people living in Gaza and the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and other places.

The WCRC expresses regret that sections of the Christian community have welcomed the move of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem. We call on the Christian community to disown any theology that propagate and justify discrimination and oppression. The WCRC further calls on the Christian community to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim, as they struggle in the context of an ongoing occupation. We call for solidarity with Israeli citizens and organizations that defend Palestinian rights.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches strongly condemns the Israeli violence in Gaza and calls on the international community to act immediately to safeguard the life and dignity of the Palestinian people. We call for a commission of enquiry into the recent violence that has led to the death of more than 100 Palestinians in the last six weeks.

In the context of the celebration of Ramadan the WCRC calls for interfaith initiatives for peace building and the immediate cessation of violence by the Israeli Defence Force. It further calls on member churches around the world to demonstrate solidarity with Christian sisters and brothers in Israel and Palestine; to advocate with their governments to ensure justice and peace in the region.