The World Council of Churches (WCC), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) have called “upon Israel and Hezbollah to end the fighting in Lebanon" and "upon the United States, the European Union, and the Arab States to exercise their influence toward this end".
It also calls "upon the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza".
With the title "A call to end the violence", the joint appeal is signed by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, LWF president Bishop Mark Hanson and WARC president Rev. Dr Clifton Kirkpatrick.
The call comes as reports emerge telling how Lebanese civilians and aid workers face even more dangers on their return home, as experts fear that around 10 per cent of the 3,000 rockets, artillery shells, cluster bombs and other artillery being fired into Lebanon each day for the past 28 days of conflict remain unexploded.
The estimates leave returning civilians and aid workers exposed to around 7,000 unexploded munitions across the conflict zone.
The full text of the appeal is shown below:
A CALL TO END THE VIOLENCE
As followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and as leaders of the World Council of Churches and the worldwide fellowships of Lutheran and Reformed churches, we are shocked by the relentless violence, death, and devastation occurring in Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. We mourn the loss of life. We abhor the untold human costs of this conflict, especially its impact on innocent people. We deplore the destruction of infrastructure and property. In 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.In 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.
Joint WCC-LWF-WARC statement on Lebanon
