An ecumenical group of Christians in Jerusalem, including the emeritus Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah, other bishops, clergy, and lay people, who have long worked for justice, equality, and peace, have spoken out in the face of ongoing war, occupation, and displacement. In a statement, they call on the world to see the suffering and the witness of those who choose to remain, even as bombs fall and families are violently driven from their own homes.

Their message confronts the devastation in Gaza and the West Bank, detailing the systematic destruction of houses, educational institutions, and hospitals, leading to entire neighborhoods being demolished, private properties destroyed, and thousands of prisoners under administrative detention without any legal protection. Yet, the group insists that life – Palestinian and Israeli alike – is sacred and must be protected.

A key aspect of the statement is the consideration of leaving or remaining in Palestine–Israel. While not criticizing those who leave, those who stay are reminded that it is not an act of resignation but an act of faith. To stay in this land is to resist despair and bear witness to Christ’s presence among the wounded, grieving, and displaced people. Staying means loving the land as a gift, not as property, and living out the Gospel by healing, teaching, and building.

Addressing their own people, their pastors, and the larger Christian community, the statement offers encouragement and solidarity to the people as they battle the uncertainty and fears of the ongoing situation. To the pastors, the ecumenical group calls for greater closeness to the daily struggles of their flock; and to the Church at large, they extend an invitation to walk together in faith and action.

Click here to read the full statement.

[Photos by Emad El Byed on Unsplash]