Image: Steps to peace, c/o FoR
A LEADING ecumenical Christian peace organisation has joined with other faith groups and NGOs to call for a ceasefire after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accepted South Africa’s case that Israel has a case to answer for the slaughter, destruction and displacement it has unleashed in Gaza.
John Cooper, director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) in England and Scotland, said in response to the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel and Gaza: “Today’s preliminary ruling makes clear significant international concern about activities currently being carried out on the population living in Gaza.
“The detailed request to ensure people can be held accountable for their actions is a vital reminder the cover of war is no excuse for the abuse of human rights.
“We need a ceasefire so the killing ends. We need hostages returned to their families. We need negotiations to deliver a lasting peace and those who abuse human rights held to account for real reconciliation and security to be built.”
“The Court considers that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is at serious risk of deteriorating further before the court renders its final judgment”, Judge Joan Donoghue, President of the ICJ, said today, as Israel was ordered to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza.
The FoR has joined broader advocacy initiatives pushing for a ceasefire and political conclusion to the conflict. It is in regular contact with the Wi’am Centre in Jerusalem, which is a reconciliation project and part of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation network.
The Fellowship of Reconciliation, along with Ekklesia and others, is a member of the Network of Christian Peace Organisations (NCPO) in the UK.
* Sources: Fellowship of Reconciliation and ICJ