Palestinian Christians in Australia Stand for Peace and Equality in the Holy Land.
The unfolding crisis across the Holy Land is nothing short of tragic, and we are deeply saddened by
the loss of life that it has brought. As followers of Jesus Christ, we firmly oppose all forms of violence,
recognising that violence only begets more violence. Our hearts ache for all those who have lost their
lives or loved ones, regardless of their origin or background.
We understand that the present situation does not exist in isolation; it is rooted in the long history
of the Nakba and the systematic oppression endured by the Palestinian people at the hands of the
Israeli government. Oppressive policies have proven to be breeding grounds for extremism, rather
than deterrents. Those who turn to militancy out of despair simply seek the freedom to live without
subjugation. The deplorable conditions faced by the two million people in what is essentially the
world’s largest open-air prison have led to despair, resulting in horrific atrocities.
Furthermore, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and settlers have been actively targeting Palestinians
on the Gaza border and the West Bank where numerous raids this year have resulted in hundreds of
casualties, including 34 children. The West Bank and the Gaza Strip, both inhabited by Palestinians,
were captured by the State of Israel in 1967 and have been under a brutal military occupation.
Despite this, Israel continues to exert control over these regions without extending equal rights to
their Palestinian residents.
We are disheartened by the proliferation of social media posts urging the complete devastation of
Gaza in the aftermath of this escalation. Palestinian Christians in Australia are concerned and pray
for the safety of their families and friends in Gaza. Palestinian Christians are equally suffering the
same bombardment, loss of property and life as their Muslim neighbours in Gaza.
This dire situation calls for international cooperation to de-escalate the crisis. We call for an
immediate cease-fire and believe it is incumbent upon each of us to work toward the restoration of
a political dialogue and the establishment of a long-term solution on equal terms. A resolution to
this conflict must allow everyone to coexist peacefully, enjoying equal rights, irrespective of their
ethnicity or religious beliefs.
We proudly stand for peace, equality, and justice for all, as well as an end to the Israeli occupation.
Only a just and lasting solution can break the cycle of violence. We earnestly call upon the Australian
Government and the international community to unite in pursuit of this long overdue goal.
For further information or inquiries, please contact:
Suzan Wahhab, President Jason Damouni, Secretary
Palestinian Christians in Australia
www.palestinianchristians.org.au
join_us@palestinianchristians.org.au
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11th October 2023