Some of you may not be on the RCA’s e-mail list for updates on such things, so I thought I’d pass on the e-mail I received today from the RCWS regarding the horrifying situation in Gaza…
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Reformed Church World Service
After ten days of rocket fire and bombing between Israel and Hamas and three days of ground combat inside Gaza, over 530 Palestinians have been killed, at least a quarter of them civilians, according to the United Nations. Four Israelis have been killed by rockets and mortar shells fired into Israel and one Israeli soldier has been killed since the Israeli ground invasion began. Forty-eight Israeli soldiers have been wounded.
As the number of casualties has grown, so have calls for a cease fire, both by governments around the world and by church leaders. In a letter to President Bush and key congressional leaders, RCA general secretary Wesley Granberg-Michaelson urged our national leadership to press for an immediate cease fire, calling for Hamas to end rocket and mortar fire on southern Israel and for Israel to halt the attacks on Gaza. “There can be no military solution to this conflict,” said Granberg-Michaelson. “Only a political solution will bring a durable peace to both Palestinians and Israelis.”
Meanwhile, 1.5 million Palestinians have been living under a blockade of essential resources and services for 18 months, and have in recent days seen even their very fragile infrastructure decimated. Lack of food and especially essential medicines is significantly increasing the loss of Palestinian lives. Reformed Church World Service is working with partners in the Middle East, as well as with Church World Service and ACT International, to respond to the needs of those who are suffering as a result of this conflict.
How You Can Help
Pray for the thousands of Palestinians and Israelis who have lost loved ones in the recent escalation of the conflict. Pray also that the hearts of Israeli and Hamas leaders will be softened and a durable and equitable peace will be sought by both sides. The RCA’s general secretary has posted a prayer on the Web that can serve as a prayer guide for individuals or congregations who are concerned about this crisis. Additional resources are available on the social justice page, under Middle East Peacemakers.
Give to provide food, medicine, and other essential supplies for Palestinians and Israelis impacted by the current violence. Send contributions, designated “Gaza Relief 2009,” to Reformed Church in America, P.O. Box 19381, Newark, NJ 07195-1938 or, in Canada, to Regional Synod of Canada, 201 Paradise Road N., Hamilton, ON L8S 3T3. To donate by credit card, visit the Gaza Relief 2009 page, or call the RCA Michigan Regional Center at (800) 968-3943.
Speak out. Churches for Middle East Peace, of which the RCA is a member, is inviting Christians across North America to sign a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, encouraging him to bring the full force of his office to a diplomatic process that can bring a durable and equitable peace to both Israelis and Palestinians. Go to www.cmep.org to read the letter and, if you support its intent, to sign it.
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Grace and Peace,
`tim
