ADVENT NOT ARMS

Advent is a time when, as Christians, we look forward to the birth of the Prince of Peace. This year we are again witnessing destruction and death caused by conflict in the Middle East. Since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7th October and Israel began its retaliation, the violence has spiralled out of control, affecting millions of people in Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and Lebanon. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we call on those in power to work towards a peaceful end to the conflict, for all sides to lay down their weapons and for the remaining Israeli hostages to be returned safely home. 

We share the vision for all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security, with equal rights, and this will only happen when there is an end to the descending spiral of violence. One of the practical ways we in the UK can contribute to this is through calling on the UK government to suspend arms sales to Israel.  

Since 7th October last year, at least 45,000 people have been killed and over 3 million displaced across Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon. While all parties have been accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity - going against laws enshrined in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) - the UK government only has diplomatic and trade relationships with Israel. By continuing to supply them with arms, the UK Government is itself at risk of facilitating these crimes, in direct contravention of the Government’s own Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, which states that arms sales should be halted if there is a clear risk that IHL could be violated. 

This advent, we reaffirm our belief in the sanctity of all life and demand an end to the violence and killing. We call on the UK government to reject weapons as a solution, suspend all arms sales to Israel, work to protect human dignity and do all it can to push for a ceasefire.