Statement on Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Peace Agreement

Statement by President Rev Charissa Suli

On the ceasefire and peace agreement between Israel and Hamas

The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire and the mediation of the first stage of a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered last week. We receive this development with deep relief and cautious hope.

As followers of Christ, we hold fast to hope even amidst the deepest pain. We pray that this moment might be the beginning of healing for all who have carried the wounds of this long conflict, and who have suffered so deeply these past two years.

We particularly welcome the promised release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, which began on Monday with the return of all living Israeli hostages. We rejoice that families are being reunited, bringing long-awaited joy and respite amid terrible grief and loss. We urge that the process of release continue fully, transparently and without delay.

This ceasefire represents one significant step on the long and difficult journey toward a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land. We maintain that a true and sustainable peace requires the presence of justice. This will require an end to occupation in the Palestinian Territories and for all parties to honour the equal dignity and inalienable human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis to live, work upon and peacefully enjoy these holy lands on equal terms.

Peace agreements can be fragile. We strongly urge all parties to fully abide by the terms of the agreement and to hold fast to maintaining the ceasefire and building peace. The agreement for full entry of humanitarian aid and relief must be immediately honoured, as must the agreed release of Israeli hostages, living and deceased, and of Palestinian prisoners. It is essential that international law and humanitarian principles guide every next step, ensuring accountability, protection of civilians and respect for life.

We call on the Australian Government and the international community to contribute generously to the urgent restoration of essential services and to take whatever concrete action possible towards reconstruction, relief and recovery in Gaza.

The Uniting Church encourages all people of faith and goodwill to pray and work for the continuation of the ceasefire and a flourishing of the peace-building work being undertaken by Israelis and Palestinians at the local community level. Let us reflect upon the powerful words of Jesus Christ in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

As a Church grounded in the reconciling love of Christ, we commit ourselves anew to pray, to witness, and to act for a just peace in the Holy Land - a peace in which every person may live in security, freedom, and dignity. May God’s Spirit strengthen all who work for peace and heal the wounds of this long conflict.

Rev Charissa Suli
President, Uniting Church in Australia