Interfaith council condemns Middle East conflict
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The Australian Council of Christians and Jews has condemned the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza, in particular deploring acts of aggression against Jews, Christians and Muslims trying to attend sacred places.
In a statement released today, ACCJ chair Dr Ron Hoenig said the organisation was “appalled” by the current events in Israel and Gaza.
“We are deeply saddened about intercommunal violence between Jews and Arabs as a result of the stroking of tensions by irresponsible actors in Israeli and Palestinian political life,” Dr Hoenig said.
“We especially deplore acts of violence within sacred spaces or to people on the way to and from sacred spaces; whether Al-Aqsa Mosque, synagogues in Israel of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
“We condemn all types of violence and oppression, and our particular concern is therefore for the civilians caught up in this conflict – Jews, Christians and Muslims – who wish only for a peaceful life in a land that is holy to all of them.
“We view with some hope the fact that there are organisations even within the current context of violence which seek to bring Jews, Christians and Muslims together in the pursuit of mutual understanding.
“We pray for an immediate de-escalation of the violence and for peace to return to the land that we all hold so dear.
“In accordance with Psalm 122 – common to both Jewish and Christian scriptures – we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for there to be peace within its walls and security within its citadels, for the sake of our kindred and friends, and for the house of the Lord our God.”
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