Weekly Action - 15 August 2024 - Middle East Peace

Growing tensions

Tensions in the Middle East are growing ever higher as the world waits to see how Iran will retaliate for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (widely believed to have been by Israel) in Tehran last month. Hezbollah in Lebanon has also threatened retaliation following an air strike in Beirut which killed one of its top leaders. This in turn a response to a recent Hezbollah rocket attack in which 12 children from the Druze community were killed in the Golan Heights. Conflict is intensifying between Iranian backed groups across the region such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza, and Israel.

Behind all of this of course is the continued horrific conflict in Gaza, launched by Israel after the Hamas incursion into Israel last October in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. More than 39,920 people have now been killed in Gaza. Hundred more have been killed in exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah across the Lebanese border. And like all conflicts it is ordinary people that pay the heaviest price. People like Asmaa, a young woman in Gaza whose story is reported by the BBC. Like many, she has been forced to flee with her family many times, live in squalid conditions, has lost loved ones and neighbours, and lives with constant fear. “I saw so much that I cannot find words to describe,” she says. “The streets are scary and the smell of death is everywhere. People are getting skinny and sick. I feel like I’m living inside a horror movie.” “I don’t have any hope in this place.”^[1]

Action for peace

There has been more than enough suffering. Restraint and a return to peace talks is needed by all sides. As Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5: 9). It is crucial that Iran should cease support for militant groups, not elevate tensions further in the region, and instead pursue peace. It is equally important that Israel should do the same in Gaza, the West Bank and across the region. Even Israel’s staunchest allies recognise that it is now time for an immediate ceasefire; for the release of all hostages; for full humanitarian access; for basic essentials like electricity, fuel, food and water to be allowed in; and for an urgent return to meaningful peace talks.

A key Arise blog from the end of last year looks at what the key elements of a peace process might be. A crucial part of this process must be meeting the legitimate concerns of the Palestinian people, such as ending Israeli settlement in the West Bank; ending the restrictions Israel imposes on goods coming in and out of the occupied territories; ending Israeli restrictions on where ordinary Palestinians can live, build, work and travel; ending the harassment of ordinary Palestinians; and ultimately an end to the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Another crucial element must be the reconvening of a truly democratic representative government for the Palestinian people of Gaza and the West Bank, which recognises the right of Israel to exist and genuinely wants peace and can prevent extremist groups like Hamas conducting violent attacks on Israel, and ultimately shut them down. A truly democratic government is also badly needed in Iran, and is essential for restoring peace and stability to the region.

Take Action

Speak out in advocacy
Write to David Lammy, the UK’s new Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in your own words, congratulating him on his appointment last month, and asking the UK to continue with urgent action to:

Increase diplomatic pressure on all sides in the Middle East for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on Gaza, and to prevent wider escalation across the region.
Increase diplomatic pressure for a truly democratic and human rights respecting authority to emerge in both Iran and for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. Ensure that the UK scales up support for pro-democracy and human rights reform movements around the world (including in Iran and Palestine), in the ways that those movements want.

Write to him at:
The Rt Hon David Lammy
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
FCDO
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH

Pray
Pray for peace across the Middle East, for wise heads to prevail and for a de-escalation of tensions. Pray for the people of Gaza and Israel. Pray for a ceasefire on all sides, the protection of all civilians, release of all hostages, for all those who are injured and have lost loved ones, for humanitarian access to Gaza, for basic essentials like food and water to get in, and for a real peace process to re-start again, even in these darkest days. Pray for democratic and human rights reform in Iran, Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.

Give
Give to Christian organisations like Cafod, Christian Aid, Tearfund or World Vision who have launched urgent appeals to support the people of Gaza who have been impacted by the fighting.

Practical Action
Reach out to friends and neighbours in your community with roots and family in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza and Israel. How have they and their families been affected? How can you and your church support them?

Find out more

It’s great to take this action as individual Christians, but even better to come together with others to pray, discuss, worship, learn, have fun and take action together. Contact Arise if you are interested in joining or starting a local Arise group in your church or area.

Find out more in the Arise Manifesto, Arise’s big picture, researched, Biblical, holistic and practical vision for a better world.

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[1] ‘Still alive’ – graduate Asmaa’s texts to BCC from the ruins of Gaza, BBC, (3 Aug 2024), https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c728vj21qepo