New Delhi: Evangelical Christian organisations and alliances have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemning violence unleashed by both Israel and Hamas.“We, the undersigned Evangelical alliances and organisations, stand together in prayer and reflection on the current crisis in the Holy Land, committed to love, mercy, and the dignity of every human being. Our faith teaches us that, as followers of Christ, we’re called to be peacemakers,” a statement by evangelical organisations said.The statement has been signed by the Evangelical Fellowship of India, Middle East and North Africa Evangelical Alliance, Asia Evangelical Alliance, Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia, Jordan Evangelical Council, Association of the Iraqi National Evangelical Churches, Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar, among others.The current violence is not isolated but deeply rooted in decades of conflict, denying many their human dignity, the statement underlines. It also goes on to say, “We acknowledge our failure to support peacemaking and lament the absence of efforts for a two-state solution… We urge the Church and people of faith to intensify peacemaking efforts, promoting restorative justice with empathy and humility.”The statement assumes significance given that there are some fundamentalists among evangelical Christians, described as Christian Zionists, around the world, who extend unequivocal support to Israel against Palestine by cherry-picking Biblical references, as highlighted in an earlier piece published by The Wire. Such Christians believe that Jews are “God’s chosen people” who are under attack from their “enemies”, and it is a religious obligation on the part of Christians to pray for and support Israel.Speaking to The Wire, author and Christian activist John Dayal, said, “Any person who believes in Jesus Christ is chosen by God, and it is only fundamental Christians who subscribe to the view that Jews are chosen people and that Christians must support Israel. Violence of any form goes against the teachings of Jesus Christ, and we condemn the killing and butchery of innocent people in Gaza by Israel.”Dayal also noted that Pope Francis and a number of Christian organisations, including the Church of North India, came out with statements condemning violence in the Holy Land.“I continue to follow with sorrow and apprehension what is happening in Israel and Palestine. So many people killed, and others injured. One who is attacked has the right of self-defense, but I am very concerned about the total siege under which Palestinians are living in Gaza, where there also have been many innocent victims. Terrorism and extremism will not help reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, but only increase hatred, violence and vengeance and only make each other suffer,” the Pope said on October 11.Reproduced below is the full statement by evangelical alliances and organisations, and the list of signatories:§Evangelicals Call for Immediate Ceasefire in the Holy Land, Urgent Steps Towards a Just PeaceNovember 1, 2023We, the undersigned Evangelical alliances and organizations, stand together in prayer and reflection on the current crisis in the Holy Land, committed to love, mercy, and the dignity of every human being. Our faith teaches us that, as followers of Christ, we’re called to be peacemakers.We recognize the complexity of the Holy Land’s situation and commit to learning from the local communities. The current violence is not isolated but deeply rooted in decades of conflict, denying many their human dignity. We acknowledge our failure to support peacemaking and lament the absence of efforts for a two-state solution. Therefore, we make the following resolutions:Ceasefire and De-escalation: We urgently call for the end of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian formations, including Hamas. We condemn attacks on civilians by Hamas and civilian deaths in Palestine caused by Israel.Humanitarian Concerns: We mourn the loss of life, denounce displacement, and call on the international community to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law.Release of Hostages: We call on Hamas to release hostages and condemn any narrative dehumanizing ethnic or religious groups. We denounce all forms of racism and antisemitism.Repentance and Prayer: We repent of our failure and urge all Christians and people of faith to pray for an immediate end to the war, safety, and release of hostages.Just Peacemaking: We urge the Church and people of faith to intensify peacemaking efforts, promoting restorative justice with empathy and humility.Recognizing that there are other global conflicts that need our prayers and intervention, we call on the Church to pray for an end to war, peace, justice, healing, and reconciliation.Supported by:• Middle East and North Africa Evangelical Alliance• Asia Evangelical Alliance• Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia• Jordan Evangelical Council• Evangelical Fellowship of India• Association of the Iraqi National Evangelical Churches• Evangelical Alliance of Kenya• Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar• Evangelical Alliance of South Africa• National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka• National Churches Fellowship of Nepal• Protestant Church of Algeria• Evangelical Alliance of Arabic Speakers in Europe