ACT Alliance

Palestinian bid for UN recognition

September 23, 2011

As talks continue at the United Nations on the membership status of Palestine, ACT Alliance, working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, has issued the following statement on the humanitarian situation in the territory:

We, ACT Alliance members working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, make this statement because of our ongoing concern about the current humanitarian situation.  As the membership status of Palestine is discussed at the UN, the stalemate in the political process between Israel and the Palestinians is a cause of significant concern. While diplomatic efforts are intensifying, we are concerned that the perpetuation of the stalemate will lead to more suffering and violence, at immeasurable human and socio-economic cost to all involved in this long drawn-out conflict.

We call upon all relevant parties to respect human dignity and protect the lives of civilians, as is their obligation under international humanitarian law.

Our humanitarian concern compels us to call for a political process that would see an end to the conflict in accordance with international humanitarian law and UN resolutions. Such a process would prevent future scenarios that exacerbate human and other costs. It would prevent taxing the resources of Palestinian society at large as well as those of people and organisations willing to invest in creating equitable peaceful relationships.

We call upon our churches and constituencies to pray for peace, justice and reconciliation at this crucial time.

This statement has been issued by ACT Alliance members working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory:
Middle East Council of Churches Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees - ACT Alliance
Norwegian Church Aid – ACT Alliance
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land - ACT Alliance
Lutheran World Federation - ACT Alliance
Finn Church Aid - ACT Alliance
Christian Aid - ACT Alliance
DanChurch Aid - ACT Alliance
International Orthodox Christian Charities - ACT Alliance
Lutheran World Relief - ACT Alliance
The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM) - ACT Alliance observer