Archives

2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1991
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1983
1982
1968
1967
1964

Bluesky

We invite you to visit our new Bluesky feed, a social media platform that replaces Twitter/X. Bluesky has reintroduced content moderation and eliminated advertizing. Follow us now on Bluesky.

Subscribe to our news

Email Address

First Name

Last Name

Search the website Rechercher dans le site

Jerusalem churches offer to mediate in conflict

Aussi disponible en français

Jerusalem church leaders offer to mediate in Fatah, Hamas conflict

[Jerusalem] Church leaders in Jerusalem have warned warring Palestinian factions they could trigger civil war and, offering to play a mediating role, they are urging an end to violence in order for them to focus on the true priority of their people – independence.

“As leaders of the Christian churches in Jerusalem concerned at the present situation in the Palestinian Territories we feel we must voice our anxiety for all our people – Christian and Muslim alike – at the deteriorating relations between Fatah and Hamas leaders and the armed forces,” they said.

In a statement made available on 15 January, 13 church leaders noted that “all kinds of mediation and attempts at reconciliation have so far failed, resulting in a deadlock in the situation.” They said the latest accusations and threats made known through the media had triggered “some large-scale fighting which soon will be very difficult to stop.”

They warned, “Fighting and kidnapping opponents will not bring down the Separation Wall or end the embargo on the Palestinian people.”

News agencies have in recent days reported fighting of an unprecedented ferocity between Fatah and Hamas, the two major Palestinian factions, noting that more than 30 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Fatah and president of the Palestinian Authority, said at the end of 2006 there should be fresh elections.

The church leaders noted: “The threatening language of the last few days by representatives of both movements and other related parties are both unprecedented and very aggressive. Such occurrences can only bring a civil war nearer by the hour. The outcome would be so drastic that it will obscure the real priorities of the whole Palestinian issue.”

Among the signatories of the statement are, the most senior Roman Catholic leader in the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah; Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III; Patriarch Torkom II of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church; Anba Abraham of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate; the leader of the Anglican community in the Holy Land, Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal; and Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

They said, “The time has come for an all-out effort to unite our people and so concentrate on working for independence together,” to offer ” the opportunity for all people in this Holy Land – Christian, Muslim and Jew – to know security and peace.”

Clement John, the international director of the Geneva-based World Council of Churches said on 15 September: “The churches are putting the best interests of the Palestinian people first at a critical time.” He added: “Factional fighting is a failure of vision and responsibility for a people who will soon face their 40th year under foreign occupation. As the churches point out, the real priority is the same for everyone – Christians, Muslims and Jews.”

The Jerusalem church heads called for a removal of arms from the street, a government of national unity and an Israeli-Palestinian return to the negotiating table, and they pledged to play their part in ending strife and made an offer of mediation. “Bloodshed and violence will not bring peace; it will only further destroy family life and further endanger the economy of our land,” said the church leaders.

Full statement of church leaders: www.oikoumene.org/index.php?id=2964.

Posted: Jan. 17, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=284
Categories: ENI • In this article: 2007, church leaders, Jerusalem, Palestine, peace, statements Transmis : 17 janv. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=284
Catégorie : ENI • Dans cet article : 2007, church leaders, Jerusalem, Palestine, peace, statements