STATEMENT ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE CONFLICT

As a congregation, we seek to be a faithful witness on the conflict in Israel/Palestine. Based on our Christian values and guided by the materials and positions of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we support and pray for lasting peace and an end to hostilities in all of Palestine/Israel and Lebanon, the safe return of all hostages and prisoners held indefinitely without charge, and a dramatic infusion of humanitarian aide for all those suffering in Gaza. We also recognize the traumatic impact these hostilities have had both on our local Jewish brothers and sisters and on our local Arab and Muslim brothers and sisters.

We join our Jewish, Muslim and Arab neighbors, especially our interfaith partners at congregations of Temple Isaiah and San Ramon Valley Islamic Center, in decrying the tragic loss of civilian lives, the taking of hostages and prisoners without charge, the torturing of those being held, and the mass suffering of civilian populations being denied the necessities of life. We call for the immediate and permanent halt in violence and the restoration of lifesaving aid and infrastructure. 

Under the guidance of the PCUSA, we acknowledge the complexities which have led to these enormous tragedies while being faithful to the teachings of the Gospel that all lives are equally precious. On the one hand, we continue to support Israel’s right to exist as a free and sovereign nation within their internationally recognized borders, the right of Israeli citizens to live safely in secure borders, and for the state of Israel to hold accountable to justice those who carry out acts of violence and murder against them. We also call on Israel to release all Palestinian civilians being held hostage and without charge, and to stop all violence against those being held.

Likewise, we stand firm in support of the right of Palestinians to self-determination, including the right to establish an independent sovereign nation within their internationally recognized borders, the right of its citizens to live safely without occupation in secure borders, and to hold accountable to justice those who carry out acts of violence and murder against them. We therefore urge the Israeli government to honor the Palestinian people with the same freedom they offer their own citizens. We also urge Hamas to release all hostages safely and refrain from additional violence. Moreover, we urge all leaders to maintain a permanent ceasefire, put an end to the bloodshed, end the fighting, and to provide the people of Gaza with medical attention and necessary humanitarian supplies (sufficient food, safe water, fuel, electricity, etc.) to everyone who is in need.

Recognizing the immense destruction that has been inflicted in the Gaza strip, and in support of our mission partners there, LOPC has raised funds to provide relief and humanitarian support to the victims; and we hope to continue to do so. In worship and through prayer, we will lift up the families of victims on both sides, the hostages who are held captive, and intercede for lasting peace and the cessation of hostilities. We will also remain in contact and solidarity with our Jewish and Arab and Muslim neighbors as well as our mission partners in Gaza, and keep the congregation informed on any actions developed in support of those interfaith and mission partners.