Geneva (AsiaNews/Agencies) The chorus of appeals from the Christian world for peace in the Middle East, from Lebanon to Israel and Gaza, is growing louder and louder. Leaders from the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) issued a joint appeal today, "A Call to End the Violence", asking "Israel and Hezbollah to end the fighting in Lebanon". Christian leaders also urge "the United States, the European Union, and the Arab states to exercise their influence toward this end".
In their statement, they warn that "[s]uch acts will lead to even deeper hatred between the parties than that which has fuelled the current violence".
It goes further saying: "We abhor the untold human costs of this conflict, especially its impact on innocent people". And "[i]n the face of tragedy of such magnitude, we affirm that God calls us to do justice, reconcile with our enemies, and live together in peace."
Speaking about the tragic fate of the Palestinian people, the ecumenical leaders "call upon the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza. [. . .] The devastation of the infrastructure of Gaza brings added hardship to people who already have nothing."
The appeal is signed by the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, Bishop Mark Hanson, president of the Lutheran World Federation, and the Rev Dr Clifton Kirkpatrick, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.
