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17th ASSEMBLY
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Assembly Standing Committee resolution on the Holy Land

President Rev Sharon Hollis has written to the Australian government and representatives in the Holy Land to share the Uniting Church’s deep concerns about the Israel-Palestine war

 

April 17, 2024

The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has this week sought to highlight and communicate its deep concerns about the escalating conflict in Israel-Palestine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Following a resolution of the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) at its March meeting, President Rev Sharon Hollis has written to several members of the Australian government and other representatives in the Holy Land to share the Church’s concerns, express support for measures taken and call for further action.

In particular, the ASC resolution:

  • Commits the Uniting Church to support the Middle East Council of Churches in their advocacy.
  • Condemns all atrocities and acts of brutality which make peace efforts impossible.
  • Welcomes measures taken by the Australian Government to offer humanitarian assistance and advocate for an end to the conflict.
  • Calls on the Australian Government to do all it can to facilitate a just peace in the Holy Land including supporting the International Court of Justice in its measures to prevent genocide, supporting peace-making organisations and imposing targeted sanctions.
  • Calls on the Israeli Government to end extrajudicial killings and impunity for members of the Israeli security forces and settlers that murder Palestinians and to abolish the practice of detaining Palestinians without charge.

The resolution was communicated to the Australian Prime Minister, the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Australian Greens, the General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches, the Israeli Ambassador to Australia and the Head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

The letters express a deep concern for the catastrophic situation in Gaza, noting in particular the suffering of innocent civilians and the suffering of the Christian church in Gaza as they seek to offer ministry and care to the region.

The latest advocacy on Gaza is grounded in the Uniting Church’s long-standing commitment to being a peacemaking church. This has included a commitment to supporting the right of both Israel and Palestine to exist in peace.

The resolution also called on Uniting Church congregations to offer support to those in the Australian community living with grief and fear due to the conflict and rising racial and religious hatred.

Congregations are encouraged to pray for and listen to those who are suffering, to participate in events and actions in support of a just peace, and to consider donating to the Act For Peace Gaza Emergency Appeal and Palestinian Christians in Australia accommodation drive.

We give thanks for the many UCA members and communities who are already active in supporting a just peace in the Holy Land.

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read the resolution in full

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