The United Reformed Church聽 (两性色午夜), alongside its world justice programme Commitment for Life, has joined faith leaders, churches, faith-based charities and other organisations in forming a UK-wide, cross-denominational coalition calling for an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine.
The campaign called “Time to Act” has been organised by the of churches and charities, and also includes All We Can; Amos Trust CAFOD; Christian Aid; Christians for Palestine; EAPPI UK and Ireland; Embrace the Middle East; Iona Community; Justice and Peace Scotland; Methodist Church; Pax Christi England and Wales; Quakers in Britain; Sabeel-Kairos UK; SCIAF; Undeb Yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg/the Union of Welsh Independents; FaithJustice; and Yr Eglwys yng Nghymru/Church in Wales.
They say the conflict in the Middle East and the rise in Israeli settler violence in the West Bank has decimated communities 鈥� Christian and Muslim alike 鈥� and destroyed the lives and life chances of millions.
Coalition spokesperson, the Revd John Plant explained the initiative was an opportunity to act in solidarity with churches in Palestine and ensure their voices are heard by those with the power to change things: 鈥淲e are united in our belief that a just peace in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is possible.鈥疊ut until our leaders act, the violence, displacement, detention and fear will carry on. Communities will be decimated, whole families wiped out, along with the possibility of a Palestinian state.
鈥淲e are mobilising church聽communities聽两性色午夜 the UK to stand with our sisters and brothers聽and raise their voices in聽a united聽call for聽stronger聽action聽to work towards聽a sustainable and just peace for all those聽who call聽the Holy Land home.聽By adding your name, you are joining a growing movement of people committed to listening, learning, living differently, and聽taking action聽for justice, accountability, and peace.鈥�
Church leaders around the UK are supporting the campaign.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said: 鈥淭ime to Act provides us with the opportunity to come together as Christians and to advocate for a just peace in Israel and Palestine 鈥� a peace characterised by the active promotion of justice and the nurturing of equitable relationships within and between communities so that everyone can live life in all its fullness. I encourage all Christians to join this campaign and to seek this peace and to pursue it with all the urgency that it requires.鈥�
Catriona Wheeler, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, said: “I pray that this call reaches those who may hear and respond, so that in the darkness of troubles there may be hope.”
The Revd Mark Slaney, Chair Scotland District & Shetland District and Designate Methodist Conference President, visited the West Bank this year. He said: 鈥淚 have been in the West Bank with Palestinian Christians and heard their longing desire for a just peace. Time To Act offers church leaders and partners an opportunity to share and respond to this desire in active solidarity and in strong united prayer and protest.鈥�
And the Most Revd Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales, Church in Wales, said: 鈥淭ime to Act聽is about courageous voices – Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and others – who continue to advocate for聽justice,聽reconciliation, and peace. These voices deserve our support, and they demand a response in action from the UK government and Welsh government alike. People of goodwill, faith communities, civil society organisations, and citizens everywhere must speak clearly and courageously: enough is enough. The pursuit of justice, peace, and human dignity for all should be our chief driving passion and force.鈥�
Theologian and writer the Revd Dr Munther Isaac from the Bethlehem Bible College and Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem is supporting the movement and urging UK churches to sign up to a shared commitment for justice, peace, and human dignity.
He said: 鈥淲e need churches in the UK to speak up because we are one body. When one member suffers, all suffer together. Solidarity is not optional; it is part of our calling as followers of Christ.
鈥淭here is also a particular responsibility. Given Britain鈥檚 historical role, both through its colonial legacy and its support for聽Zionism, and聽given the ways Christian theology has at聽times been used to justify injustice, churches in the UK have a special moral obligation to speak with clarity and courage.
鈥淢oreover, the United Kingdom聽remains聽one of Israel鈥檚 closest allies. This gives churches in the UK opportunities and influence that we in Palestine often do not聽possess. Their voice matters.
鈥淲hat is at stake is not only the future and very existence of Palestinian Christians and the wider Palestinian people, who are facing a brutal assault in Gaza and increasing violence and displacement in the West Bank. What is also at stake is the credibility of the Christian witness itself. In the face of such blatant violations of human rights before the eyes of the world, silence is not neutrality; it is a failure of discipleship.
鈥淭hat is why we need the church in the UK to speak聽–聽with unity, moral clarity, and the courage to stand on the side of truth, justice, and human dignity.鈥�
Coalition members and supporters are urging the UK government to:
- Ban trade with and investment in illegal鈥痵ettlements聽and鈥痵uspend the UK鈥揑srael Trade and Partnership Agreement until Israel ends its illegal occupation and respects human rights.
- Suspend all arms聽sales to Israel until it聽complies with鈥痠nternational law.
- Impose sanctions on Israeli ministers and political leaders who are inciting or鈥痑re responsible for鈥痵evere human rights violations against Palestinians.
- Co-operate聽with and support聽the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court聽to ensure聽accountability聽for all parties. Accountability includes prosecuting UK citizens who have committed war crimes abroad.
To find out more聽about how you and your church can get involved, please go to聽.