LWF statements on Israel and Palestine
Lutheran World Federation shares two statements on Israel and Palestine.
Statement: Avert war in the Middle East
8 Oct 2023
LWF is deeply concerned about escalating violence and conflict in the Holy Land and calls on leaders in Israel and Palestine to exercise restraint, ensure the safety and security of civilians, and work urgently for peaceful solutions.
LWF Statement
(LWI] – The Lutheran World Federation is deeply concerned about the attacks of Hamas on towns and the civilian population in Israel, and the subsequent actions of the Israeli army, which have claimed lives on both sides, and led to injury and mayhem in an already volatile region.
"Both parties must exercise restraint, ensure the safety and security of civilians, and work urgently for peaceful solutions," says LWF General Secretary Rev Dr Anne Burghardt.
"The international community must act immediately to help de-escalate the conflict and bring both parties to a negotiation that can lead to peace and not war in the Middle East," adds the LWF General Secretary. "International humanitarian law must be respected by both sides in this conflict."
LWF expresses its condolences to the families of victims and stands in solidarity with all who are affected by the conflict. LWF follows developments on the ground closely through its member church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and the LWF Jerusalem program.
LWF prays for a peaceful solution and calls on the LWF member churches across the world to join in prayer for the people of Israel and Palestine during this difficult time, when hatred, mistrust, and fear are once more being fueled in the region.
Israel and Palestine: Civilians must be protected, and hostages released
11 Oct 2023
In a statement released on 11 October, the LWF condemns all attacks by all parties on civilians in Israel and Palestine, expresses grave concerns about the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, calls for a release of hostages, and urges all parties to uphold International Humanitarian Law.
A statement of The Lutheran World Federation
A statement of The Lutheran World Federation
(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is gravely concerned about the continued escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine, particularly, the targeting of civilians. LWF unequivocally condemns all attacks by all parties on civilians.
LWF strongly condemns the brutal attacks by Hamas on Israeli citizens. Taking hostages is unacceptable, and LWF calls for their immediate release.
LWF urges Israeli forces to act according to International Humanitarian Law and prioritize the protection of civilians who are not warring parties. A breach of International Humanitarian Law by one party does not justify another breach by the other party.
The rules of war, set out in the Geneva Conventions, must be upheld. Targeting civilians is never justified, and attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, are unacceptable.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating. Hundreds of thousands of people have already been displaced, basic infrastructure, including medical facilities, has been destroyed, and the population has nowhere to flee. Civilians who want to leave must be guaranteed safe passage, and humanitarian corridors must be opened without delay to allow aid to reach the population.
LWF calls on authorities in Israel and Palestine and the International Community to ensure the access of the United Nations and other humanitarian actors in the region to provide urgent life-saving assistance to Palestinian civilians trapped and helpless in Gaza.
LWF stands with all affected by this violence, with those who grieve, and those who live in fear and without hope for the future.
The people in the Holy Land deserve peace, which will only be achieved through negotiations that meet the needs of Israelis and Palestinians and bring long-term stability to the Holy Land and the region.