Quakers join urgent calls for UK to act on illegal occupation of Palestine
Quakers in Britain has joined a new coalition of churches and faith charities calling on the UK government to act over the occupation of Palestine.
The Time to Act campaign, launched this week, brings together organisations spanning Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Quaker, Welsh Independent and United Reformed traditions, including Christian Aid, CAFOD and the Methodist Church.
Supporters across England, Scotland and Wales are being urged to lobby their MPs. The coalition on the government to:
- Suspend all arms sales to Israel until it complies with international law.
- Ban trade with and investment in illegal settlements and suspend the UK–Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement until Israel ends its illegal occupation and respects human rights.
- Impose sanctions on Israeli ministers and political leaders who are inciting or are responsible for severe human rights violations against Palestinians.
- Co-operate with and support the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to ensure accountability for all parties. Accountability includes prosecuting UK citizens who have committed war crimes abroad.
Coalition spokesperson Rev John Plant said the violence, displacement and fear would continue "until our leaders act". He called on churches to stand with their "sisters and brothers" in Palestine.
The conflict in the Middle East and the rise in Israeli settler violence in the West Bank has decimated communities - Christian and Muslim alike – and destroyed the lives and life chances of millions, the coalition says.
Revd Dr Munther Isaac, a Ramallah-based pastor and theologian, is backing the campaign. Given Britain's historical ties to the region, he said, UK churches have a particular responsibility to speak out.
Oliver Robertson, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain, said: "Quakers have worked for peace in Palestine and Israel for generations, from the Ramallah Friends School founded in 1869 to the human rights monitors we coordinate today through EAPPI.
“We've seen first-hand what the occupation costs ordinary people. We join Christians from across the UK in calling on our government to help end the occupation and work towards a just peace."