The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine strongly condemns the Israeli atrocities committed in Jenin. We urge churches worldwide to promptly act and express their opposition to the ongoing crimes and atrocities carried out by Israeli occupying forces in the Jenin Refugee Camp.
Expressing deep concerns over the continuous aggression by Israeli occupation forces in Jenin, we highlight the recent escalation of the Israeli killing machine against defenseless Palestinians. Aerial and ground attacks were launched on the densely populated refugee camp, resulting in the tragic loss of 10 Palestinian lives and leaving nearly 100 others wounded, some in critical conditions. Moreover, Israeli occupation forces deliberately targeted the civilian population and forcibly displaced thousands of Palestinians from their homes. The assault also caused significant damage to the Latin Parish in Jenin, along with other houses of worship and residences.
Dr. Ramzi Khouri, member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Churches Affairs in Palestine, emphasizes that the ongoing Israeli escalation against the captive Palestinian population in Jenin is a continuation of the war crimes Israel has been committing against the Palestinian people for decades. Targeting unarmed civilians is criminal and morally reprehensible and must be unequivocally condemned. Dr. Khouri adds that the unwavering support of the American administration for Israeli brutality and impunity has emboldened these extreme and ruthless military assaults.
The committee calls upon churches worldwide, as well as individuals and organizations, to follow the lead of local churches and take substantial action to end this escalation. It is crucial to protect the rights and lives of Palestinians in Jenin and the rest of Palestine, who are under attack by Israeli occupying soldiers and armed colonial settlers.
In response to the unfolding events, the heads and patriarchs of the churches in Jerusalem have released a series of statements, echoing the concerns expressed by the Presidential Committee. These statements serve as a warning regarding the grave situation that has arisen due to the escalation of events and the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians. The heads and patriarchs strongly advocate for the protection of the Palestinian people.
The current situation poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of Palestinians, and it is our collective duty to address these pressing concerns. We call upon all parties involved to uphold the principles of justice, respect for human rights, and the preservation of innocent lives.
Patriarch Theophilos III, the President of the Council of Churches in the Holy Land, states that the world is witnessing a disturbing escalation of violence and bloodshed. He expresses deep regret that the world remains silent in the face of ongoing human rights violations and the targeting of innocent civilians. He calls upon the entire international community, as well as political and religious powers, to assume their responsibilities in bringing about peace and stopping the bloodshed. He demands active intervention by relevant international entities to halt the hostile acts and find just and comprehensive political solutions to the Palestinian issue.
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, strongly condemns the aggression on Jenin and describes it as brutal acts that cause harm to the land, holy sites, and the people. He calls for an immediate ceasefire and the pursuit of mutual calm and dialogue to prevent such unjustifiable crimes.
The Episcopal-Anglican Diocese in the Arab world states in its statement that the repeated aggressive attacks by the Israeli army against Palestinians only fuel hatred, violence, and racism. They call for calm, the withdrawal from Palestinian territories, and an end to the occupation.
The evangelical Presbyterian church also condemns the Israeli aggression on Jenin and the attacks on mosques and churches. The evangelical Presbyterian church calls upon the worldwide evangelicals Church, as well as all religious, civil, governmental, and international institutions, to take immediate action to stop the aggression and find a just solution to the Palestinian issue.