WCC calls on President Trump to follow international law for a just peace in Gaza
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay has described the proposal of US President Trump as “tantamount to proposing full-scale ethnic cleansing and neo-colonization of the homeland of the 2 million Palestinians of Gaza.”
Pillay noted that the proposal violates every applicable principle of international humanitarian and human rights law, flouts decades of efforts by the international community – including by the USA – for a just and sustainable peace for the peoples of the region, and would if implemented constitute multiple international crimes of the most serious kind. “The standing of the United States of America as a responsible member of the international community has been gravely diminished by the proposal itself, not to speak of any actual implementation thereof,” Pillay said.
In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 4 February, President Trump said the United States “will take over” the Gaza Strip — possibly with the help of American troops — while the Palestinians who live there should leave. “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too,” said President Trump. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings,” he said, describing his vision for the area as a new “Riviera.”
“Coming after so many months of unrestrained violence, death, destruction, and displacement inflicted on the population of Gaza by Israeli armed forces, supported by the USA, this proposal for the ethnic cleansing of the territory unveils the unconscionable end goal of this conflict, long sought by extremist elements in Israeli politics and society,” said Pillay. “President Trump’s proposal is in blatant disregard of the fundamental rights of the people of Gaza who have struggled and suffered for so many decades.”
Pillay urged that the proposal be unequivocally rejected by all responsible members of the international community, and by all people of good will.
“The World Council of Churches calls on President Trump to reconsider this disgraceful proposal, and to respect international law and equal human dignity and rights of the people of Gaza,” Pillay said. “Further, the WCC calls on all people of faith and good will to stand against this egregious violation of human dignity and international law.”
Pillay further urged churches and Christian communities worldwide to raise their voices in defence of justice, to advocate for the protection of Palestinian lives and rights, and to press their governments to reject any proposal that facilitates ethnic cleansing and permanent occupation.
“We affirm that peace cannot be built on the dispossession and suffering of an entire people but must be rooted in justice, dignity, and the fundamental rights of all,” said Pillay. “May the churches be steadfast in their witness, as Christ calls us to stand with the oppressed, and seek peace that is founded on justice. We pray for peace, justice and respect for all people who suffer under the tyranny of the powerful in this world.”