View the NCC flier on Christian Zionism @ http://www.ncccusa.org/news/081202christianzionismbrochure.html

A timely flier has been introduced by The National Council of Churches that comes when Christian Zionists are more worried about the security of Israel than the deaths of over 500 Palestinians.  In light of the attacks on Gaza by Israel, the National Council of Churches reports the following statement from Jerusalem:

Statement
by the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
on the current devastating situation in Gaza


We, the Patriarchs, Bishops and the Heads of Christian Churches in
Jerusalem, follow with deep concern, regret, and shock the war
currently raging in the Gaza Strip and the subsequent destruction,
murder and bloodshed, especially at a time when we celebrate
Christmas, the birth of the King of love and peace. As we express
our deep sorrow at the renewed cycle of violence between Israelis
and Palestinians and the continued absence of peace in our Holy
Land, we denounce the ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip and all
forms of violence and killings from all parties. We believe that the
continuation of this bloodshed and violence will not lead to peace
and justice but breed more hatred and hostility – and thus continued
confrontation between the two peoples.  


Accordingly, we call upon all officials of both parties to the
conflict to return to their senses and refrain from all violent
acts, which only bring destruction and tragedy, and urge them
instead to work to resolve their differences through peaceful and
non-violent means.  


We also call upon the international community to fulfill its
responsibilities and intervene immediately and actively stop the
bloodshed and end all forms of confrontation; to work hard and
strong to put an end to the current confrontation and remove the
causes of conflict between the two peoples; and to finally resolve
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a just and comprehensive
solution based on international resolutions. 


To the various Palestinian factions we say: It is time to end your
division and settle your differences. We call on all factions at
this particular time to put the interests of the Palestinian people
above personal and factional interests and to move immediately
toward national comprehensive reconciliation and use all non-violent
means to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.  


Finally, we raise our prayers to the Child in the manger to inspire
the authorities and decision makers on both sides, the Israelis and
Palestinians, for immediate action to end the current tragic
situation in the Gaza Strip. We pray for the victims, the wounded
and the broken-hearted. May the Lord God Almighty grant all those
who have lost loved ones consolation and patience. We pray for all
those living in panic and fear, that God may bless them with calm,
tranquility and true peace.  


We call on all to observe next Sunday, January 4, as a day for
justice and peace in the land of peace.


+ Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Patriarch Fuad Twal, Latin Patriarchate.
+ Patriarch Torkom II, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate
Fr. Pier Battista Pizzaballa, ofm, Custody of the Holy Land
+ Anba Abraham, Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate.
+ Archbishop  Swerios Malki Mourad,   Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate.
 Abune Matthias, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Archbishop Paul Nabil Sayyah, Maronite Patriarchal Exarchate.
+ Bishop Suheil Dawani, Episcopal Church of Jerusalem & the Middle
East.
+ Bishop Munib Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the
Holy Land.
+ Bishop Pierre Malki, Syrian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate
+ Bishop Youssef Zre’i, Greek Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate.
Fr. Raphael Minassian, Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate


Jerusalem 30 December 2008