“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly” Martin Luther King Jr.
We, the members of the Conference of the Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand are outraged at the ongoing bloodshed and violence in Gaza and other parts of Palestine perpetuated by the Israeli government and military with the support of their allies. We are also saddened by the death and suffering of innocent people in Israel, caused by Hamas. We express our deep solidarity with all who mourn and suffer and pray for healing and restoration.
We contest the narrative that the conflict in the Holy Land is a war between two religious communities. We categorically state that the conflict is the consequence of settler colonialism and the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by the Israeli state, defying international laws and UN resolutions. We reject the propaganda that resistance to occupation and settler colonialism is terrorism.
A just peace in the Holy Land will not be possible without a non-violent transition from settler colonialism to self-determination (tino rangatiratanga) for the Palestinians.
We denounce the distorted interpretations of the Jewish and Christian scriptures and the toxic theologies that offer scriptural and theological legitimation to occupation, displacement, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and violence. Christian Zionism is antithetical to the basic tenets of the Christian faith.
We condemn the bombing of hospitals, schools, and religious places, killing thousands of innocent civilians, particularly children and women. We are equally concerned about the destructive impact of the occupation and violence on God’s creation—the land, the water bodies, and the atmosphere. This ongoing Nakba (catastrophe) must be stopped. Enough is enough!
We call upon all nations, global agencies, churches, ecumenical organisations, and all people of goodwill to stand together in opposing the Israeli government’s occupation of Palestine and affirming the rights of the Palestinians to self-determination. While we urge the international communities to create corridors for humanitarian interventions, we reiterate our conviction that acts of mercy and compassion devoid of justice will only result in perpetuating Nakba. Our humanitarian interventions should be based on human rights and human dignity.
We support the global call for an immediate ceasefire and urge that the ceasefire should lead to a just solution, privileging the dreams, aspirations, and rights of the colonised.
We affirm our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine and commit ourselves to accompany them on their long road to self-determination and freedom. We are inspired by the resilience of the Palestinian community and their resolve to resist occupation and celebrate the flourishing of life. We acknowledge the Israeli and Jewish people who denounce the Zionist occupation and join the people across the border to transform the Holy Land into a just and peaceful home for all.
We commit ourselves to strive together to tear down all walls that colonise people and the planet.
