With heavy hearts we remember all who have died or are still suffering a year after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on innocent civilians in Israel, igniting this cycle of violence. We call on all people to pray, reflect, and act for an end to violence and war, that is impacting people in Israel, in Gaza and beyond.
We also lament the more than 41,000 deaths since Israel began military operations in Gaza, and now the violence has spread throughout the region. International experts agree that Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks in Gaza meet the definition of genocide.
Untold numbers of women and children are suffering and dying because they do not have access to basic human needs.
Most of Gaza’s buildings have been reduced to rubble. Basic infrastructure — sanitation systems, places of worship, hospitals, and schools — have been destroyed. The people of Gaza are not only suffering from the loss of their homes, regular access to food, and livelihoods but are also enduring a humanitarian catastrophe that demands immediate international attention.
As people of faith, we are compelled to cry out and act for justice and peace. We call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the region, and the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas.
Our Critical Concern for nonviolence instructs us to address the root causes of this deadly conflict and work to relieve the suffering. Sending more weapons to Israel will not achieve peace and stability.
We yearn for and must work towards a time when all humanity comes to understand that violence only begets more violence.