Israeli tanks stand near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Ishtartv.com – religionnews.com

July 23, 2024

By Chloë-Arizona Fodor, Jack Jenkins

More than 200 Christian leaders from an array of traditions have signed a letter calling for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of hostages taken by Hamas, as well as a list of other measures aimed at providing relief in Gaza.

“We speak out as Christian leaders with a deep concern for the common good for all affected by war and conflict without exception,” reads the letter, which was organized by Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition of Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox churches based in Washington.

“We speak with urgency. We speak in a spirit of peace. We speak because we are deeply inspired by the courageous and selfless commitment of our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, who suffer alongside their Muslim and Jewish neighbors and remain resolutely determined to help bring about a just and dignified future for all inhabitants of these lands.”