The following statement was published on October 7 by Pax Christi International.
Brussels, October 7, 2024 — What we are witnessing in the Holy Land, with ramifications across the Middle East, has its roots in over a century of conflict. Each escalation serves as clear evidence that war only breeds further hatred, division, and tension, providing no real solutions. The rising death toll, attacks on hospitals and schools, rampant hate speech and discrimination are undeniable proof that suffering only begets more suffering.
As Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, stated: “We can only call once again on those in authority […] to a commitment to justice and respect for every person’s right to freedom, dignity, and peace.”
Enough of decision-makers turning a blind eye. Enough of the complicity.
Decades of blatant violations of international and humanitarian law, as well as UN resolutions, escalated on October 7, with a sharp rise in war crimes and persistent disregard for human rights. These violations, primarily targeting the Palestinian people, have become routine and are now spreading across the Middle East.
The international community continues to apply temporary fixes, hoping to protect economic interests, particularly those tied to Israel, while delaying meaningful dialogue and decisive legal action. To support peace efforts, we must ban the sale and delivery of arms to both Israel and militant groups, cease military cooperation that fuels the conflict, ensure an immediate, continuous ceasefire, and restore humanitarian aid to those in desperate need.
Enough of the occupation.
We must safeguard the people of Palestine, who continue to endure systemic oppression through ongoing human rights violations linked to the occupation, including collective punishment, property confiscation, excessive use of force, unlawful killings, restrictions on freedom of movement, and relentless settlement expansion. These violations deprive them of essential services such as healthcare, disrupt access to water and electricity, and hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid, leading to famine and deepening inequality while undermining their fundamental human rights.
Pax Christi International calls on all parties to return to negotiations and establish a peace agreement that recognises and protects the dignity and rights of both Palestinians and Israelis, treating them as equals. Any revived peace process must be grounded in a firm commitment to international law and UN resolutions, particularly those affirming the rights of the Palestinian people and promoting stability across the region.
Pax Christi International prays for a just peace.
Humanity has had enough of this needless suffering. We owe it not only to future generations, but to all those in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East, whose lives are constantly at risk, living in fear, displaced, and forced to flee their homes amidst ongoing conflict.
Today, we pray for a just peace, in which we firmly believe. We also pray for decision-makers, faith leaders, and citizens to take a bold stand in favour of peace.
- Download the statement in English
- Descargar la declaración en español
- Téléchargez la déclaration en français
So refreshing to hear from Pax Christi Brussels, especially since our United States Conference of Catholic Bishops suffer from a paralyzing fear to condemn the murder of the children of Gaza, Lebanon, and perhaps all too soon, the children of Iran by Israel lest they (the most-reverend bishops) receive the opprobrium of antisemites. And yes, as American taxpayers who fund the satanic devices used by Israel that burst the stomachs and blow away the faces of children, we must admit, as painful and unpatriotic as it may sound, that morally and legally speaking, Israel and the United States are rogue states that have belied the myth of their moral exceptionalism. Worse yet, when the bombs have stopped and the putrefying corpses have been pulled from the rubble, the children of the Middle East, who will be the future politicians of their countries, will remember that it was a so Christian USA led by a so Catholic Christian president that collaborated in the destruction of their minds and bodies.
David-Ross Gerling, PhD
I agree 100% with this article. Our country has been killing people in the middle east for 20 years. It’s disgusting and ungodly. As for Israel, we are their puppet. Whatever Israel wants, the US is right there to oblige. I do believe we are under judgement from Almighty God. How can so called Christians condone such brutality? Guess what, they’re not real Christians. And since most of the churches in the US are dead churches, Laodecia, neither hot or cold, God will spew them out of his mouth. I pray that Israel stops the genocide in Gaza and the left bank. Those poor people. I can’t imagine living there. All of the churches in the US should be outraged at the genocide. Where are the so called preachers? They’re too worried about their money.