Church leaders call on the UK government to help deter annexation of the West Bank

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Church leaders from the United Reformed Church, Church of Scotland, Quakers in Britain, Methodist Church, Church of England and Catholic Church have called on the UK government to help deter annexation of the West Bank, which could begin from 1 July:

We stand alongside the Holy Land’s Christian leaders, who have warned that the Israeli Government’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank after 1 July “would bring about the loss of any remaining hope for the success of the peace process.”

All our Churches are committed to promoting justice and peace for everyone who calls the Holy Land their home. If annexation proceeds, it would gravely undermine international law with serious consequences for the common good of our global society.

The UK Government should do everything in its power to deter annexation. Only a robust response, working alongside others in the international community, can help to prevent this tragedy.

We remain united in prayer that plans for annexation will be abandoned, allowing for renewed efforts towards a negotiated solution that upholds the human dignity of Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Rt Rev Declan Lang
Bishop of Clifton
Catholic Church

Derek Estill
Moderator of the General Assembly
United Reformed Church

Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair
Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland

Paul Parker
Recording Clerk
Quakers in Britain

Rev Dr Jonathan Hustler
Secretary of the Methodist Conference

Rt Rev Christopher Chessun
Bishop of Southwark
Church of England