ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a response in support of Jerusalem patriarchs on Gaza. “Recently, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued an urgent plea to the global church, ‘A Humanitarian Plea From the Churches of Jerusalem: Defending the Dignity and Presence of the People of Gaza,'” Eaton wrote. “I write to uplift the timely and crucial words of these beloved siblings in Christ in Jerusalem and to call on our church to respond in prayer, action and solidarity.”
She continued: “This humanitarian plea from ecumenical church leaders in Jerusalem, including our partner church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, comes in the wake of comments from the president of the United States that outline a plan to forcibly and permanently displace roughly 2 million Gazans, with the stated goal of clearing Gaza for future real estate development.”
Eaton called church members to join in the following:
- A call to prayer for recovery and restoration in Gaza, for the safe return of all its inhabitants, for those in power to recognize the humanity of Palestinians in their decision-making, for an end to the Israeli occupation and for a path, paved by justice, toward lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.
- A call to action invoicing opposition to mass displacement in the Gaza strip as outlined in President Trump’s proposal and in urging our elected representatives to adhere to international law, which prioritizes humanitarian aid and the return of all hostages.
- A call to learning in which we, as U.S. Christians using our privilege and our faith, stand against oppression and injustice in the Holy Land and provoke tough conversations in our communities, furthering awareness and lifting up the voices of our Palestinian siblings.
- A call to public witness, using the resources of ELCA Sumud, the ELCA Middle East and North Africa Desk and ELCA Witness in Society, and joining with our ecumenical partners in offering faithful, direct witness to foreign policy.
