Elderly man near the site of his home

As the death toll in Gaza grows - at least 18 children and more than 50 men and women have been killed in Israeli air attacks, the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine has sent us this desperate appeal. They write:

Justice and security are two sides of the same coin. Israel’s security can never be an excuse for denying justice to the Palestinian people.

In the spirit of the living God who sanctifies all life and in keeping with our faith and its teachings, we appeal to all people across the world to work with their fellow citizens and governments to end Israel’s Operation Protective Edge and the brutal military siege that has been going on for the past seven years, which includes a naval and economic blockade. Gaza has no port or airpor, thus no way to import or export its products.

This is not an escalation or a war. Gaza has no military or ability to protect itself other than to fire some homemade rockets. The 1.7 million people, mostly children (two thirds of the population) are also mostly refugees (1.1 million) from areas of 1948 and 1967.

Furthermore under the Fourth Geneva Convention, Palestinians, as a militarily occupied people, have the right to defend themselves.

Our justice loving God demands us to speak out on behalf of the security for all people. In the name of the Advocate Spirit, we ask you to speak out now to call a halt to this long term offensive operation which aims to wipe out a legally elected government and its people.

Whether you think the new unity government is viable or not, or if Hamas is a terrorist organization or not, or whether you think they might have been behind the death of the three Israeli teens murdered near Hebron, it is against international law to collectively punish or target them. It is not only inhumane. It is a war crime.

As of July 10, the date of this Appeal, Israeli military struck 430 targets across the Gaza Strip. 77 people have been reported dead and more than 500 wounded.. The majority of the dead are civilians. 18 are children including a baby one month old.

We pray for the memory of those killed. Each of them has a name and a family who is suffering great loss. We also pray for all those wounded or injured in body, mind, or spirit. We pray for solace and comfort also for the families whose homes, businesses, agricultural fields, or fishing boats that have also been destroyed. We pray for the people of Gaza and ask that God be with them.

Support Palestinian’s right to life by joining with Christians throughout the world in their call for a just peace in this land that all call holy. We have been down this road one too many times and know what will happen if we fail to act. Please join us through letters and petitions to your government officials to raise awareness about this offensive military operation and Gaza’s ongoing siege. Ask them to pressure Israel to stop its brutal assault or face sanctions from the international community.

Support Palestinian’s right to life by joining with Christians throughout the world in their call for a just peace in this land that all call holy.

Signed by the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine

Arab Catholic Scouts Group

Arab Orthodox Society – Jerusalem

Caritas-Jerusalem

Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees

Middle East Council of Churches

Greek Catholic Sayedat AlBishara Association

International Christian Committee

Laity Committee in the Holy Land •

National Christian Association

Pontifical Mission Palestine

SABEEL – Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center

Seeds of Better life

Union of Arab Orthodox Club Jerusalem

Young Men’s Christian Association –YMCA

Young Women’s Christian Association –YWCA

Gaza NECC office

Bethlehem (NCOB) Network of Christian Organizations in Bethlehem

The East Jerusalem YMCA /Beit Sahour Branch

The Arab Educational Institute,

Holy Land Trust, Bethlehem • Wi’am Center, Bethlehem

Saint Afram Assyrian Society,

Holy Land ChristiansEcumenical Foundation, Bethlehem

Al-Ihsan Arab Orthodox Society, Beit Jala

Arab Orthodox Club, Beit Sahour

Arab Orthodox Club, Beit Jala

Arab Orthodox Club Bethlehem

The Arab Orthodox Charitable Society, Beit Sahour

Bethlehem Bible College

Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies

Alternative Tourism Group,

ATG, Beit Sahour

Senior Citizen Charitable Society •

Environmental educational Center, Beit Jala

Saint Vincent Charitable Society, Beit Jala

Shepherds' Children Society, Beit Sahour

Tags: Gaza, National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine, Operation Protective Edge

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