WCC Expresses Profound Concern Over Escalating Violence in Lebanon and Gaza
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed profound concern over escalating violence in Lebanon and Gaza, and reaffirmed the WCC’s commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of all peoples.
Ain el Qassis, Lebanon. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC
“We are deeply alarmed by the continued disregard for international law, which only perpetuates the cycle of violence and collective punishment, as tragically seen in various conflicts around the world,” he said. “The ongoing attacks by [Israel], which have resulted in widespread destruction and the tragic loss of civilian lives, are intolerable.”
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay described [Israel’s] missile strikes and other actions in Lebanon, followed by its invasion of Southern Lebanon, as “clear violations of international law” and an affront to the sovereignty of the Lebanese state.
“We also recall the ongoing assault on Gaza, a region that has already paid an unbearable price in civilian lives and destruction,” he said. “The war on Gaza must end immediately.”
The people of Gaza deserve to live in dignity, he added.
“We call for an immediate end to all violence,” he said. “All countries and leaders, and especially the United States of America, must play a more intentional role in establishing just peace in the Middle East to avert a full-scale regional war.”
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay called for the persistent pre-occupation with war and violence to end.
“We express our Christian solidarity and support for WCC’s member churches and ecumenical partners in Lebanon and the Middle East Council of Churches in the midst this current crisis,” he said.
This statement was originally publsihed on the website of the World Council of Churches (WCC) oikoumene.org.