How Do We Faithfully Respond?

We watched in horror this week as Israel definitively broke Gaza’s ceasefire - a first step we had longed and prayed was the beginning of a just and lasting peace in this region, allowing those that had been displaced for so long to return home and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

Over 400 have been killed by Israeli airstrikes, with UNICEF reporting that at least 130 children had their lives taken. These strikes came in the middle of the night while some slept. Others were awake preparing for suhoor, the last meal before Ramadan fast resumes for the day. Despite the International Criminal Court having an active warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the use of starvation as a weapon of war, on March 2nd Netanyahu announced the immediate halt of all humanitarian aid into Gaza. This was followed by cutting off power—including to Gaza’s water desalination plant. 

Our hearts are heavy. We are shocked—but not surprised. 

Israel and Hamas were due to move into the second phase of the ceasefire on March 2nd, with a focus on how Gaza would be governed moving ahead. However, Netanyahu has made it clear that he is committed to Trump’s widely condemned plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza, and sees no role for either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority post-war. With these statements as a backdrop, Israel refused to move into the future-focussed second phase, instead proposing to extend the first phase's temporary ceasefire. Hamas rejected the proposed amendment, insisting the original agreement be honoured by both parties. 

A few weeks ago, I met via Zoom with prominent Palestinian Christian leaders from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Their hearts are weary. Many of them said that despite all they have lived through, this moment right now is the hardest it has ever been. One of them said, “They are doing to the West Bank what they did in Gaza.” He was talking about the forced displacement of 40,000 people and destruction of homes and infrastructure in the West Bank—all of which had happened after the Gaza ceasefire agreement. They shared of the increasing restriction of movement throughout the West Bank, including 89 new gates, barriers, and concrete blocks in Bethlehem. The leaders from Bethlehem shared with me the impact this is having on them and their community. 

We long and we pray for peace. 

After 17 months of crisis, and with the vast majority of Palestinians being constantly displaced, this new wave of violence will see many of those who were hopeful in returning to their homes face displacement once again. In 2024, the global displacement crisis reached unprecedented levels, with over 120 million people forcibly displaced by war, violence, and persecution. We pray our nation can respond in generosity and compassion to people seeking safety from these crises, and be bold in speaking up for the protection and safety of all.  We continue to pray and  and long for the day when those who come to our shores for safety are welcomed with the kindness and compassion that Jesus teaches.

With heavy hearts, many of us are asking, how do we faithfully respond?

We invite you to join in prayer and action.

In the lead up to Australia’s Federal election, we are equipping and empowering the Common Grace movement to meet with their local candidates calling for policies that seek the good of others, and move us toward a broader vision for justice and a safe, free, flourishing future for all.. This includes calls to adopt a more compassionate and generous approach to people seeking asylum and take steps to respond to the crisis in Gaza. Find out how you can join in taking action here.

We invite you to join us in prayer, with a prayer written a few years ago by a Palestinian Muslim woman and Israeli Jewish woman,  painting a picture of the future we long and hope for. 

A prayer of mothers for life and peace - by Sheikha Ibtisam Maḥameed and Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum.

. . .

God of Life

Who heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds

May it be your will to hear the prayer of mothers

For you did not create us to kill each other

Nor to live in fear, anger or hatred in your world

But rather you have created us so we can grant permission to one another to sanctify

Your name of Life, your name of Peace in this world.

For these things I weep, my eye, my eye runs down with water

For our children crying at nights,

For parents holding their children with despair and darkness in their hearts

For a gate that is closing, and who will open it before the day has ended?

And with my tears and prayers which I pray

And with the tears of all women who deeply feel the pain of these difficult days

I raise my hands to you please God have mercy on us

Hear our voice that we shall not despair

That we shall see life in each other,

That we shall have mercy for each other,

That we shall have pity on each other,

That we shall hope for each other

And we shall write our lives in the book of Life

For your sake God of Life

Let us choose Life.

For you are Peace, your world is Peace and all that is yours is Peace,

And so shall be your will and let us say Amen.

. . .

Prayer source - https://tinyurl.com/yj46hzfx

We are watching this closely, and as the ground moves, our actions will too. We hope you will join us as we continue to respond during and beyond our upcoming elections.