Les chrétiens se mobilisent pour faire cesser la violence dans la bande de Gaza

International

Co-ordination of Episcopal Conferences (Roman Catholic)

Leaders of the Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Germany, Scandinavia, Ireland, England and Wales, France, Sicily, Canada and the USA met in Bethlehem and issued a joint public call:

"To the leaders of the international community we say: ...With one voice press Israelis and Palestinians to build a just peace with security for Israel and a viable state for Palestinians.

"To the people of God in our countries we say: ...Join us in persuading our governments to make Israeli- Palestinian peace a high priority. Support concrete projects and partnerships with local Christian communities struggling for survival.

"To the Christians of the Mother Church in the Holy Land we say: You are not alone. We are one family, a worldwide communion in Christ. We hear your cries as you suffer alongside your brothers and sisters in the wider community. We assure you of our love, our prayer and our continued solidarity. We ask you to pray for us."

Friends World Committee for Consultation - Europe and Middle East Section

Issued a statement on behalf of Quakers in Europe and the Middle East with web links and other information for representatives and Quaker Meetings.

Lutheran World Federation

LWF "Reiterates Support for Holy Land Vision of Peace, Urges Ceasefire in Gaza"; general secretary calls for prayers and advocacy, as North American Lutheran bishops visit Middle East.

Pax Christi International

Public letters to UN secretary-general, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union calling for an immediate ceasefire and decisive action to uphold international humanitarian law as the basic framework for a solution to the conflict in Israel-Palestine. With the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons, monitoring reports that indiscriminate and new weapons are being used by Israeli forces.

World Alliance of Reformed Churches

Issued a public call to prayer and action to end the violence in Gaza. 

World Conference of Religions for Peace

Issued a statement calling for an immediate Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire.

World Council of Churches

Public statement and a pastoral letter and prayer to member churches in the Middle East and elsewhere, advocacy by the WCC UN liaison office with the Security Council and General Assembly, co-sponsoring a panel at the UN Church Center to counter disinformation, planning a visit to the Israeli mission in Geneva.  

World Evangelical Alliance

Issued an "Open Letter to Government, community and Evangelical Christian Leaders" appealing to all decision-makers "to listen to the voice of reason within their own ranks", the international community "to work hard to bring an end to the current crisis and make every effort to remove all the causes of this conflict" and for generous assistance to those in need. 128 national evangelical alliances are asked to pray for this crisis during their annual prayer week and especially on 18 January 2009.

World Vision International

WVI statement calls for "free, safe and unfettered" humanitarian access to Gaza and reminds Israel of its obligations as a signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to take all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict. Non-state actors, such as Hamas, are also bound by provisions in international law that protect children.

World Alliance of YMCAs

With YMCA Gaza involved in emergency relief and seeing members killed in the attacks, YMCAs around the world are sending messages of solidarity, organizing prayers, and pledging aid for Gaza. YMCAs of East Jerusalem, Denmark, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Norway, Switzerland, Lebanon, USA, Argentina, Uruguay and the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs are among the respondents. Earlier, World YMCA wrote 124 countries asking YMCAs to pray for peace in the Middle East and send messages of support to the Gaza YMCA, and issued a statement condemning the violence.

World YWCA

At the invitation of YWCA Palestine, YWCAs around the world held candlelight vigils in commemoration of lives lost in the crisis in Gaza and to call for peace in the Middle East.

Argentina

Christianos de Base

Calling on the government to cut commercial relations with Israel and for the MERCOSUR bloc to reject a free trade agreement with Israel.

Ecumenical Movement for Human Rights

Issued a statement condemning the massive and indiscriminate aggression against civilian population in Gaza and asking for bilateral negotiations monitored by the UN. A pastor in EMHR reports the healthy challenge that Gaza advocacy brings to Christian-Jewish dialogue and peace-making.

Australia

National Council of Churches in Australia 

In Canberra and at Parliament House in New South Wales, churches are participating in and convening national strategy meetings of advocacy leaders from different sectors of society. The purpose is to plan for the year ahead, given the events in Gaza. A newspaper editorial by the executive director of act for peace-NCCA called for a ceasefire to be followed by a criminal investigation. Public statement deplores "the loss of innocent lives", calls for "unfettered humanitarian access" and requests donations to Gaza through act for peace-NCCA.

Pax Christi Australia

Contacted the Australian government about the situation in the Gaza.

Uniting Church in Australia

Released a media statement expressing dismay about the attitude of the Australian government towards the loss of life in Gaza, made contact with the Israeli Embassy in Canberra and sent letters to the Prime Minister from its National Christian Youth Convention.

Victorian Council of Churches

Sent a letter to the Australian Prime Minister urging him and the Australian government to work for the cessation of the current hostilities and to promote dialogue between all parties, Israeli and Palestinian.

Austria

Pax Christi Austria

Sent an advocacy appeal asking all Austrian parishes to hold vigils on behalf of the people of Gaza. Sent an open letter to the prime minister and the European commissioner for Foreign Affairs.

Belgium

Broederlijk Delen and Pax Christi Flanders

Joined the Christian Workers' Movement in Belgium and a coalition of European agencies (below) in calling the EU to suspend talks on the upgrading of EU-Israel relations; joined 100 Belgian organizations in staging the 11 January demonstration there; and has a Q&A and an op-ed with a focus on armed parties' obligations under International Humanitarian Law, disproportionate use of force and responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Published interviews, analysis and opinion editorials, e.g. www.standaard.be

Brazil

Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

Issued a call for common prayer to 1800 congregation and 1200 "preaching points" to be read out loud during Sunday worship.

Pastoral Land Commission

Demonstrations of solidarity at the World Forum of Theology and the World Social Forum and may write letters to governments involved.

Canada

Kairos

Kairos, the Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiative, published an op-ed in the Toronto Globe and Mail about the Gaza situation, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, and issued an Urgent Action appeal to constituency on the Gaza situation. Kairos also wrote a letter to  Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon and issued a news release about the destruction of a Canadian supported health clinic in an Israeli bombing attack.

United Church of Canada

Issued two public statements on the Gaza crisis including calls for a ceasefire and for religious leaders to give public witness to their shared commitment to peace with justice.

Denmark

DanChurchAid

DCA, whose Gaza partners' have had one clinic and three mobile clinics destroyed in air strikes, is following up on issues before the European Union Political and Security Committee in Brussels.

European Union

Aprodev and Aid agencies

A coalition of major humanitarian, human rights and development organizations - several of them church-related - called on the European Union to immediately suspend any further enhancement of its relations with Israel, known as an "upgrade", until Israel agrees to a comprehensive ceasefire and provides unimpeded humanitarian access.

Aprodev, the Association of World Council of Churches-related Development Agencies in Europe, wrote to the top EU foreign policy officials and the foreign ministers of Sweden and France concerning EU mediation efforts and is in contact with the EU external relations council arguing for a suspension of the recently decided "upgrade" of relations with Israel.

Finland

FinnChurchAid

Visiting Israeli embassy over humanitarian concerns including missile strike on a clinic in Gaza run by the Near East Council of Churches with support from FinnChurchAid, other church groups and the EU. TV interviews with staff and with an ecumenical accompanier from Finland serving in Jerusalem; Palestinian Lutheran Bishop Mounib Younan is to visit Finland and call attention to the crisis.

France

Pax Christi France

President wrote an appeal for peace co-signed by different NGOs.

Germany

Church Development Service (Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst - EED)

Sending out press releases and publishing statements, information from our Israeli and Palestinian partner organisations as well as intercessions and prayers on the EED web page (in German). Exchange of views with members of the German parliament, staff members of the parliamentary factions and the German foreign office.

Evangelisches Missionswerk

Using website to inform the public about ecumenical partners' actions in the Middle East and globally.

Evangelisches Missionswerk in Südwestdeutschland 

Asked the German government to undertake everything possible to end the fighting and to permanently end the siege of the Gaza Strip. Also called for an investigation of the recent events in Gaza in the light of international law. Distributing information to media about the emergency work of its partner, the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem and especially the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.

German Mennonite Peace Committee (DMFK)

Delegation is in the region meeting Israeli and Palestinian peace and human rights groups, organized by Christian Peacemaker Teams. 

NEFF

An ecumenical organization in Nürnberg, NEFF took part in one demonstration against the war and is planning another.

Pax Christi Germany

Press releases from the group's Middle East Commission and Executive Committee; a "NO to war in Gaza: YES to negotiations" demonstration in Lindau (Lake Constance) organized in part by a former Ecumenical Accompanier.

Iran

Anglican Episcopal Church

Bishop publicly condemned the silence of the international community in the face of the sufferings faced by Palestinians, in a statement to church leaders in Pakistan.

Ireland

Anglican and Catholic churches

The Catholic and Anglican primates of Ireland issued a joint statement calling upon authorities in both Israel and Gaza immediately to disengage and cease all hostilities to enable a permanent ceasefire to be negotiated.

Israel

Churches in Nazareth

Holding an ecumenical service for Gaza.

Japan

Japan YWCA and Jerusalem Partnership Committee, Diocese of Tokyo, NSKK

Joined 11 other civil society groups to send a letter to the Israeli ambassador to Japan calling for a stop to all military attacks in and around Gaza.

Kenya

All Africa Conference of Churches

Issued a public "Call for Cessation of Hostilities in the Gaza Strip" and condemns the war as a serious violation of human rights. 

Latin America

Latin American Council of Churches

Open letter to the United Nations General Assembly President urging concerted diplomatic pressure for peace on the part of the UN, the EU and the so-called Mid-East Quartet.

Lebanon

National Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon

Open letter to the church's members imploring God's mercy to stop the violence and calling "all sides to sit together and work out a lasting peace in all the Middle East".

Malaysia

Council of Churches of Malaysia

The CCM issued a statement calling for an internationally-guaranteed ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It set up a Gaza Humanitarian Fund for assisting in the urgent relief work.

Middle East

Middle East Council of Churches

Condemned Israel's rocketing of its clinic in Gaza, which served tens of thousands of families each year; appealed to the Arab League and the United Nations to save the lives of innocent people; and asked all ecumenical partners to intervene with their governments. Issued a statement condemning attacks on civilians, urging decisive international action for peace and calling for unity among the Palestinian people.

SAT-7 

Shortly after the fighting began the regional religious broadcaster SAT-7 began running a text on its screen asking viewers to intercede with prayers on behalf of those who were suffering in the conflict. The satellite channel also recorded and broadcast prayers from leaders of the Evangelical Church in Egypt and Christmas Lutheran parish in Bethlehem.

Netherlands

Holyswitch.nl 

Youth website with a lot of information (in Dutch) on the conflict and blogs by Palestinian and Israeli youth is a big hit in the Netherlands. Up to 7000 hits a day.

ICCO

Working as an agency, with churches, and in coalition with the United Civilians for Peace network which includes various church-related groups. Activities include meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and parliamentarians, letters to members of parliament and cabinet, a public debate, a vigil to remember the victims, and an advertisement with prominent people condemning the attacks, calling on the Dutch government to do the same and the EU to suspend negotiations on Israel's status. Also, statements, press releases, interviews and opinion articles. Like other church agencies ICCO supported the Near East Council of Churches clinic in Gaza that has been destroyed by a missile strike

IKV Pax Christi

Press statement and a civil society vigil, plus release of a report about the failed policy of isolating Hamas, with recommendations to the Dutch and European policy makers. 

Protestant Church in the Netherlands

One provincial board urged congregations to organize silent vigils with candles in order to mourn the victims of the war in Gaza. Some parishes included local Palestinian and Muslim communities in their vigils. Synod board wrote to Christian leaders in East Jerusalem and in Israel, and copied the Dutch prime minister and foreign minister. The letter says the Dutch church feels the pain of suffering Palestinians and Israelis and that the crisis shows the failure of European, American and Arab leaders leaders "because they did not take firm stands when it comes to justice and developing trust".

Taskgroup Turningpoint

Together with more than 20 civil organizations in the country, involved in demonstrations, vigils and a die-in.

New Zealand

Church leaders 

Nine Anglican, Protestant and Catholic leaders issued a joint call to churches to prayer - for the victims and perpetrators of violence in Gaza and Israel, for diplomatic efforts, for peace and reconciliation - to advocate with the government, and to support aid appeals for Gaza.

Church World Service

Sending letters about the Gaza crisis to minister of Foreign Affairs and Israeli ambassador; sending an appeal for emergency funds and advocacy action to churches throughout New Zealand; supported various local protests and vigils.

North America

Mennonite Central Committee

Sent letters to US, Canadian and Israeli/Palestinian government leaders and prepared action alerts, encouraging constituents in Canada and the US to write their government representatives. 

Norway

Church of Norway

Adressed the Israeli embassy and met the acting ambassador concerning Israel's military and humanitarian responsibilities for the Gaza crisis; bishops and others joined media debates on the moral and political consequences of Hamas and Israeli actions; co-sponsored a prayer service and march for peace in Oslo with the Christian Council of Norway and 80 other organizations. The Oslo march was "one of the largest marches ever" there, the church reports, and similar events are taking place in other cities and villages of Norway.

Occupied Palestinian Territories

Arab Educational Institute

Expressing solidarity with Gaza from Bethlehem - includes analysis and discussions in schools and with women's groups about the situation in Gaza and non-violent struggle for peace, public readings of prayers sent by international partners and hosting a solidarity visit from the Netherlands, plus joining an ecumenical service, a sing-along of peace songs and a candlelight procession in Nativity Square on 11 January to commemorate the slaughter of innocent children that followed the birth of Jesus.

Department of Service to the Palestine Refugee of the Middle East Council of Churches

Open letter calling US President-elect Obama to a special mission for peace: "We have grown accustomed to American Administrations coming and going without any solution to our predicament," writes Palestine Legislative Council member and DSPR head Dr Bernard Sabella, "but the change you have advocated … and your determination to be fair … to people who are at a disadvantage encourages me to hope."

East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine

JAI Call for Actions. YMCAs and YWCAs in many parts of the world - Spain, Guyana, France, USA, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Japan and the Netherlands - held vigils, prayers and demonstrations and sent messages of solidarity to the Palestinian YMCA and YWCA.

 

Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East

The Anglican bishop in Jerusalem is issuing appeals about the situation in Gaza especially relating to the humanitarian imperative and the church's Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza; the hospital is receiving 20-40 patients per day - many requiring hospitalization and a quarter of them children - and is operating under increasingly difficult conditions. 

Heads of churches in Jerusalem

Local church representatives took part in an emergency conference in Paris organized by Religions for Peace and a Palestinian church youth is taking part in an inter-faith youth council and statement. During the conflict in Gaza, Sunday masses focused on prayers to end the war. Parishes and church schools are collecting aid for Gaza. Church leaders are considering a joint ecumenical visit to Gaza and its hospitals. Statement "On the Current Devastating Situation in Gaza" condemns the violence and calls on the international community to intervene to stop the bloodshed and to bring a just and comprehensive solutions to the whole conflict. Sent special prayers for Gaza to parishes in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Ramallah.

Local members of ACT International

Raised the question of compensation by the government of Israel for the destruction of four church-related clinics in Gaza. The issue has been brought to the attention of the Norwegian foreign ministry. (Visit www.act-intl.org for news of church humanitarian actions.)

National Coalition of Christian Organizations

Held an ecumenical service in Jerusalem, organized with the Dominican Fathers and including a collection for Gaza and message from the Catholic parish there; 350 people attended including church leaders and media.

Sabeel

Sabeel's "Reflection on Gaza" highlights the biblical "narrow gate" of justice and the responsibilities of the various parties to the conflict, calling Palestinians to "the way of non-violence".

YWCA of Palestine

Invited partner organizations to hold candlelight vigils and prayers to mourn the innocent killed in Gaza; issued statements calling on the Israeli government to immediately stop the war on Gaza and on countries neighboring Gaza to open their borders to allow humanitarian aid and medical supplies in; also called on the UN Security Council to adopt sanctions against Israel and on the International Criminal Court to process Israeli political leaders for war crimes.

Pakistan

National Council of Churches

Condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza in a resolution and urged the World Council of Churches and other world bodies to use their influence for an immediate cessation of war.

South Africa

South Africa Council of Churches

Churches of the SACC and the South African Catholic Bishops' Conference joined the foreign ministry, labor unions and other civil society groups in mounting a coordinated response the people of South Africa to the tragedy in Gaza. SACC Western Cape sent all member churches in the province a letter about Gaza.

Spain

Spanish Evangelical Church

Calls for ending the violence, promoting the work of peace and respecting the right of the Palestinian people to self determination.

Sweden

Church of Sweden

Stressing with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the public that the Gaza crisis be seen as part of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, that the international community cannot content itself with a ceasefire, and that this escalation of the conflict weakens moderates in the region and fuels extremism. Daily press releases and web postings, op-eds, and interviews with staff in the field outline these and humanitarian concerns. Visiting Israeli embassy to protest the missile attack on a clinic in Gaza run by the Near East Council of Churches with support from Church of Sweden and others including the EU. Joined in the Aprodev inter-agency letter to EU officials about halting the upgrade of EU-Israel relations, and raised the matter with Swedish political parties and foreign ministry. Vigils and church services in parishes throughout Sweden.

EAPPI Sweden

Former ecumenical accompanier and local priest is interviewed about the Gaza crisis and has an article in the local newspaper Alingsåstidningen.

Inter-Religious Council of Gothenburg

Rabbi, imam and Church of Sweden bishop issued an Appeal for Peace with the plea: "In our prayers, let us make no distinction between Palestinian and Israeli, or between Christian, Jew and Muslim, but hold them together in our hearts."

Switzerland

Churches and civil society organizations

Churches are among many Swiss civil society groups organizing a demonstration in the country's capital Bern on 10 January to protest the Swiss-Israeli military collaboration.

United Kingdom

Christian Aid

Asking UK government directly, via on-line letter campaign, and in a joint inter-agency appeal to the EU, for the EU to suspend talks on upgrading its relations with Israel until a ceasefire is in place. With other aid groups, met the UK foreign secretary to discuss the humanitarian situation. Doing regular media interviews and stories, including a press release about the direct hit by an Israeli missile on a Gaza clinic run by the Near East Council of Churches with support from Christian Aid and others including the EU. Another press release, on the ineffectiveness of the three-hour humanitarian pauses, targeted audiences in the US. Supporting Israeli and Palestinian partner organizations involved in advocacy work. Asked the UK government to use its position on the United Nations Security Council to promote a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire by all parties and unfettered humanitarian access to Gaza.

Church in Wales

The Archbishop of Wales wrote the Israeli ambassador in London asking why a church-run clinic was bombed in Gaza. "We find it incomprehensible and tragic that any armed forces anywhere in the world would want to destroy such a building, let alone the State of Israel with all its historic memories of oppression and genocide," the letter said, noting Welsh church ties to Gaza and widespread concern there for Gaza's long-suffering people.

Church of England 

31 December statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury says "the spiraling violence in Gaza tragically illustrates the fact that the cycle of mutual threat and retaliation have no lasting effect except to reinforce the misery and insecurity of everyone in the region."

Church of Scotland

The church moderator wrote letters about the Gaza crisis to the Israeli ambassador in London and the UK foreign secretary with copies to the Palestinian general delegate to the UK, and to the national UK media. 

EAPPI UK

Bradford-on-Avon - actions by former ecumenical accompaniers include letters to local press, and a peace vigil and petitioning with press and members of parliament invited.

Interfaith action

Leaders of all major faiths in the UK joined Christian Aid in a call for an immediate cessation of violence and unfettered humanitarian access to Gaza.

Pax Christi UK

Pax Christi UK issued prayers, suggested actions and a press release; its British section called on UK churches to pray and act for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel.

United Reformed Church

Some local churches have candles burning constantly for Gaza and whole congregations are urged to write or email the prime minister of the UK.

USA

Catholic Relief Services and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops Office of International Peace and Justice

Encouraging people to urge President George Bush to send a high-level personal representative to the Holy Land immediately to help negotiate a ceasefire and ensure that the people of Gaza receive humanitarian assistance.

Churches for Middle East Peace

CMEP members are being encouraged to write letters to the US administration and Congress, contact their elected representatives directly and are provided with a variety of resources. 

Church World Service

Alerted its "Speak Out" advocacy network to press Washington lawmakers for prompt US diplomatic action to end the fighting in Gaza and a meaningful process toward peace with justice for Palestinians and Israelis. Wrote congressional leaders, state department officials and Israeli and Egyptian ambassadors concerning the Gazan refugees' right to protection. 

Episcopal Church USA

Presiding bishop issued public statements warning that the toll of deaths will only prolong the cycle of violence and calling all parties including the US government to unite behind an immediate ceasefire "as the first step toward peace". 

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Daily updates from 39 bishops visiting Israel-Palestine during the crisis, a public national statement, invitations to join the church's e-Advocacy Network and regular information to its Middle East Network.

Fellowship of Reconciliation USA

Israel should be held accountable for misuse of US weapons as required by the Arms Export Control Act and Foreign Assistance Act - members urged to write to the president, secretary of state and their congressional representatives.

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Mobilizing its constituency and lobbying members of the US Congress and administration to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to support Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations that include Hamas.

National Council of Churches of Christ

Seeking a meeting of church leaders with the Israeli ambassador and have sent a briefing paper to the Obama transition team. 

Pax Christi USA

Special appeal to members to take actions with US government. 

Pax Christi USA Rapid Response Network

Issued a collection of resources and actions, including a number of resources from the US Jewish community, on the Gaza crisis.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Stated clerk issued a statement calling for all violence to stop; action alert urges members to contact the White House and Capitol Hill offices asking the United States must work with international partners to bring about an immediate ceasefire for the sake of both Israelis and Palestinians. The church's Israel Palestine Mission Network also condemned "the Israeli massacre of Palestinians now underway in Gaza". 

Reformed Church in America

Sent a letter to key leaders in the US administration and congress, contacted all congregations encouraging participation in a mail campaign to President-elect Obama (through Churches for Middle East Peace) and contributions for humanitarian aid. 

United Church of Christ

Issued a statement urging comprehensive peace in the Middle East and encouraging its members to write to the secretary of state, senators and representatives calling for a cease fire and humanitarian relief in Gaza.

United Methodist Church

Letter of Concern About the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza (with action list, from the church's Women's Division) and an appeal for Gaza. The church's global and women's division are two of the 250+ member organizations of the US Campaign to End Israeli Occupation and urge parishioners to join the campaign.