Church writes to Foreign Secretary on Israel-Gaza war

The Church of Scotland’s Israel Palestine Committee has written to the UK authorities calling for a everlasting ceasefire in Gaza.

The request was made in a letter to Overseas Secretary David Lammy MP calling on the federal government to acknowledge the State of Israel alongside the State of Palestine at once and to hitch the 145 different nations world wide which might be presently doing so. To contribute to lasting peace and justice for all.

The Church of Scotland’s Israel Palestine Committee, nonetheless, famous its disappointment that the UK authorities didn’t look like pushing for a everlasting ceasefire and requested that this be a part of their ongoing negotiations. Moreover, the Committee famous its disappointment that the suspension of arms export licenses has been delayed, regardless of a latest Worldwide Court docket of Justice ruling that Israel is violating worldwide regulation all through the occupied territories.

The actions of Hamas on October 7, 2023, which led to the killing of over 1,000 primarily Israeli residents and the hostage-taking of tons of extra, is an act of terrorism that we condemn. Our name for a everlasting and speedy ceasefire will enable the discharge of those hostages. We additionally acknowledge the hundreds of Palestinians beneath administrative detention in Israel, together with Layan Nasir, a member of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and name on the federal government to behave to safe their speedy launch.

Learn the letter in full:

The Rt Hon David Lammy MP

Secretary of State for Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Affairs

King Charles Avenue
London
SW1A 2AH
UK

9 August 2024

Pricey Overseas Secretary

Congratulations to HM Authorities in your appointment and be assured of the Church of Scotland’s curiosity within the work of the Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace. Please know that the Church of Scotland frequently prays for our leaders and representatives and we are going to proceed to take action as you fulfill your public service duties and work for a world that’s fairer and extra peaceable.

The Basic Meeting of the Church of Scotland has referred to as on members of the Church to hope for peace within the battle between Israel and Hamas and in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah in Gaza, and directs us to induce the UK Authorities to:

• To name instantly and everlasting ceasefire in Gaza;
• cease issuing export licenses for arms gross sales to Israel;
• restoring funding for the United Nations Reduction and Works Company for Palestine Refugees within the Close to East (UNRWA); And
• Acknowledge at once the State of Israel, alongside the State of Palestine, as a contribution to making sure lasting peace and justice for all.

We’re happy that in your first go to to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in July, you referred to as for an instantaneous ceasefire, the discharge of all hostages and a fast improve in humanitarian support to Gaza. We had been delighted that on 19 July you introduced that the UK would resume funding UNRWA.

Nevertheless, we imagine that there must be a transparent reference everlasting A cease-fire in your ongoing negotiations to finish the struggling of the folks of Gaza and assist avert the very actual worry of a full-scale regional struggle. This everlasting ceasefire must also be agreed to by Hamas. There may be nonetheless time to vary Israel’s course, however the UK authorities, in cooperation with different nations, wants strain. We additionally strongly imagine {that a} ceasefire will allow the discharge of these presently held in Gaza.

On that observe, we wish to increase the case of Layan Nasir, a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, who’s presently beneath administrative detention. After being arrested at gunpoint at his house in April, his detention was prolonged for one more 4 months, with no expenses but to be filed. He’s saved in Haifa and his household and clergymen usually are not even allowed to go to him. We urge the UK Authorities to behave for his launch, together with hundreds of others who’re in comparable conditions and are being held with out cost.

We had been very disillusioned to learn final week that the UK authorities has postponed its determination to droop arms export licenses to Israel, regardless of initially being in favor of doing so. Current Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ) rulings make it clear that Israel has violated worldwide regulation in Gaza and the West Financial institution. Though it’s understood that UK firms provide solely a small quantity of complete arms to Israel, this nonetheless makes them complicit in Israel’s ongoing violations of worldwide regulation. We name on the UK authorities to right away droop arms export licenses to Israel.

Throughout your go to to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, you made the pressing case for a reputable and irreversible path towards a two-state answer. Nevertheless, we ask that the UK Authorities go additional and acknowledge the State of Palestine, thus bringing the UK into line with 145 different nations world wide who’ve finished so. This has been the coverage of the Church of Scotland for a few years, and it’s disappointing to us that recognition has not but taken place. That is much more necessary now given the latest overwhelming determination of the Israeli Knesset to oppose any ‘unilateral’ recognition of a Palestinian state.

The Church of Scotland has been current in Israel for a few years and we proceed to function two church buildings, a college and two accommodations there. We keep shut partnerships and relationships with initiatives, initiatives and religion teams in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory the place we share the targets of peace, justice and human rights. The Church of Scotland’s dedication to peace with justice is strengthened by the various members and ministers who’ve had the chance to journey to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories for work, pilgrimage or volunteering. Among the many many initiatives we’ve supported through the years is the World Council of Church buildings’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, the place Christians from world wide go to help, present solidarity with, and produce again Palestinians residing within the occupied territories. Tales of what they witnessed.

We stand as a part of a rising multiracial and worldwide cry for an finish to the battle as quickly as attainable: the discharge of Israeli hostages, a everlasting ceasefire for Gaza’s civilians, an finish to a different weapon in our nation when these weapons are used. for offensive reasonably than defensive functions, and for an pressing improve in humanitarian help to alleviate the struggling and determined wants that come up.

We might be pleased to fulfill you or your colleagues to speak extra about our work in Israel and share a few of our experiences.

We look ahead to listening to from you together with your responses to this letter, which we are able to share with our members.

yours sincerely

Michael Yuile (Convener) Rev Alastair Coming (Co-Convener)

Israel Palestine Committee

Church of Scotland