3 June 2010 statement by church leaders in the Philippines on Gaza flotilla massacre.

Photo: Israeli commandos storm Mavi Marmara, the flagship of Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

“Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and
inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 16:20, ESV

We church leaders in the Philippines express our great shock and indignation at the act of terrorism perpetrated by the apartheid state of Israel on hundreds of international peace activists aboard the Mavi Marmara, the flagship of Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a six-vessel fleet carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

We condemn the disproportionate use of lethal force by Israeli naval commandos that killed at least ten and injured dozens of civilians armed only with sticks and metal bars and a tenacious resolve to deliver relief supplies to the besieged people of Gaza.

We demand the immediate release of the more than 480 foreign activists seized from the raid who are now being held by Israeli authorities in a prison in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba.

This incident is a stark reminder that the Israeli blockade on Gaza—backed by the United States and the European Union—can no longer continue. During this World Week for Peace in Palestine-Israel being convened by the World Council of Churches, we join faith-based and civil society groups around the world in calling on the Israeli government to end the isolation of Gaza and the collective punishment of its 1.5 million residents.

It is now more than 60 years since the partition of Palestine hardened into a permanent nightmare for Palestinians. It’s been more than 40 years since Israel’s forcible occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Just peace in Palestine is long overdue.

It’s time to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian lands. It’s time for Israel to stop bulldozing Palestinian homes and to urgently implement a freeze on all settlement construction as a first step towards the dismantlement of all settlements.

It’s time to end the dispossession of the Palestinian people and the violation of their human rights and dignity. It’s time for Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination.

It’s time for Palestinians who have been refugees for 60 years to have the right of return to their homes.

It’s time to do away with apartheid and double standards. The Separation Barrier is a grave breach of international and humanitarian law, and must be removed from occupied territory. It’s time to stop discrimination, segregation and restrictions on movement.

It’s time to stop the recent Israeli military order that will categorize tens of thousands of Palestinians living in the West Bank as “infiltrators” – ostensibly because they lack the proper permits – and give military officers sweeping control over their deportation. This order regarding “Prevention of Infiltration” (Amendment No. 2) issued by the Israeli military authorities must be revoked now.

It’s time for healing to begin in the land called holy. Jerusalem must be an open, inclusive and shared city in terms of sovereignty and citizenship. The rights of its communities must be guaranteed Muslim, Jewish and Christian, Palestinian and Israeli—including access to Holy Places and freedom of worship.

Now is the time for each one of us to speak out and act, fulfilling our Christian vocation as peacemakers.

It’s time for freedom from oppression and occupation.

signed by the following church leaders and individuals

(SGD) Bishop Deogracias Iniguez (SGD) Rev. Fr. Rex R.B. Reyes, Jr.
Co-Chairperson, Ecumenical Bishops Forum & General Secretary
Chairperson, Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

(SGD) Bishop Nathanael Lazaro (SGD) The Most Rev. Edward P. Malecdan
Chairperson, National Council of Churches in the Philippines & Prime Bishop
General Superintendent Episcopal Church in the Philippines
Iglesia Evangelica Methodista En Las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF)

(SGD) The Most Rev. Godofredo David (SGD) Bishop Ephraim Fajutagana
Supreme Bishop General Secretary
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Iglesia Filipina Independiente

(SGD) Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza (SGD) Bishop Solito Toquero
General Secretary United Methodist Church &
United Church of Christ in the Philippines Co-Chairperson Ecumencial Bishops Forum

(SGD) Bishop Elmer M. Bolocon (SGD) Bishop Warlito Baldomero
Executive Secretary Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Ecumenical Bishops Forum & Bishop Emeritus, United Church of Christ in the Philippines

(SGD) Bishop Roel Mendoza (SGD) Bishop Bert Calang
United Church of Christ in the Philippines Iglesia Filipina Independiente & Chairperson, In-Peace Mindanao

(SGD) Bishop Elorde M. Sambat (SGD) Bishop Gabriel Garol
North Luzon Jurisdiction Bishop Emeritus, United Church of Christ in
United Church of Christ in the Philippines the Philippines

(SGD) Bishop Lito Cruz (SGD) Sr. Angelita Navarro
Iglesia Filipina Independiente ICM

(SGD) Ms. Phoebe Gamata Crismo (SGD) Sr. Rosario Battung
Program Director, Board of Christian Education RGS
United Methodist Church

(SGD) Ms. Norma Dollaga (SGD) Ms. Iris Ann Agustin-Capus
General Secretary Program Officer
KASIMBAYAN KONTAK Phils.

(SGD) Ms. Corazon Tabing-Reyes (SGD) Rev. Fr. Erah Cabillas
Executive Secretary Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Fellowship of the Least Coin- International

(SGD) Rev. Manuel Rapisura (SGD) Rev. Fr. Antonio Tayco
Central United Methodist Church Iglesia Filipina Independiente

(SGD) Rev. Fr. Dionito Cabillas (SGD) Rev. Fr. Edoi Ruazol
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Iglesia Filipina Independiente

(SGD) Rev. Marisol Villalon (SGD) Dr. Ferdinand Anno
United Methodist Church President, Union Theological Seminary

(SGD) Rev. Dionisio Sanchez (SGD) Prof. Fructuoso Sabug, Jr.
United Church of Christ in the Philippines Co-Convenor
Philippine Solidarity for Just Peace in Palestine

(SGD) Ms. Carmencita Karagdag (SDG) Rev. Kenneth V. Aguilera
Coordinator, Peace for Life UNIDA

(SGD) Miss Ofelia A. Cantor Miss Johanna May Cantor- de La Cruz
Ecumenical Bishops Forum National Council of Church in the Phils.