Methodist Conference is profoundly disturbed at the brutal ‘Swords of Iron’ military campaign by Israel that has so far resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries amongst Gazan civilians; the wholesale destruction of homes and infrastructure; the killing of humanitarian workers and foreign journalists by the Israeli Army (International Federation of Journalists and Human Rights Watch say more than 350 deaths have occurred amongst journalists and Foreign Aid Workers).

We were greatly disturbed by the horrific atrocities committed by Hamas, and other militant groups on the 7th October 2023 resulting in over 1,200 deaths and the taking of over 240 hostages.

These tragic cycles of violence will only end when there is equal recognition of the right of both Israeli and Palestinian people to self determination and an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.

The Methodist Conference calls for an immediate ceasefire to enable peace talks to take place, hostages to be freed and bring an end to the terrible suffering in Gaza.

The Methodist Church in Ireland applauds the actions of the government of the Republic of Ireland in the recent recognition of the State of Palestine and calls on the next government of the United Kingdom to likewise recognise the State of Palestine as a means to find lasting peace, justice and security for all in the region.

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