Select a region
Jersey's religious leaders and Chief Minister have published a joint statement this week making an "urgent" call for "humanity and restraint in the Middle East" as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues – a position backed by the Bailiff.
Entitled 'Unity Statement', it was signed by leaders of Jersey's Anglican, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim communities.
Read it in full below...
On behalf of islanders, we jointly support a swift end to the violence and suffering that continues to harm millions of people in Israel, Gaza, and the surrounding region, and to affect the lives of everyone in our connected global community who shares our belief that everybody deserves the chance to live in peace, security, and mutual respect.
Jersey is a small yet diverse community: one that is proud to be home to people of all cultures and beliefs, but consequently one that is affected profoundly by such events, however distant they may appear at first. Our thoughts remain with those who have lost their lives in this conflict, and with their families and communities. We condemn any loss of life, and share in the profound sense of shock and sadness that has reverberated around our Island, and the world, in recent days.
There can be no justification for the heinous acts of terrorism wrought upon Israel and Israelis by Hamas. We recognise the right of Israel to protect itself against such terrorism; every country would do the same. Likewise, we deplore the actions of Hamas terrorists in taking and holding Israeli hostages who must be released immediately.
It is crucial that Israel’s activation of its right to self-defence preserves the fundamental rights of innocent Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank. We support the efforts by the UK Prime Minister, the US President, and many others, during recent meetings with regional leaders, to restate the vital importance of acting in line with international humanitarian law and to avoid endangering civilians.
In responding to terrorism, Israel must protect and uphold these key principles, and should work collaboratively to enable the safe passage of international aid and aid workers as a primary responsibility. The growing humanitarian crisis cannot be ignored, and we are inspired by the generosity of islanders wishing to provide their assistance to affected communities.
In recent days, the conflict has escalated with appalling loss of civilian life in Gaza. We therefore believe that efforts to achieve a lasting de-escalation of the conflict must now go further and faster. We maintain that the pathway to peace lies in cooperation instead of confrontation, and strongly encourage the work of international partners, including the UK Government, to help achieve this. This cooperation may require all sides to adhere to a pause in hostilities to allow the proper provision of humanitarian relief.
More than anything, however, we stand together in solidarity with the vulnerable and innocent people on an all sides, particularly children and those taken as hostages, and we have come together deliberately with one voice to express our determination that the violence and hatred we have witnessed will not create division amongst our own community.
In making this joint statement, which brings together representatives from across the perceived divides, we hope to signal our resolve that Jersey stands for tolerance, inclusivity, and generosity and an end to the violence and oppression. As we lend our unified voice to the urgent international calls for humanity and restraint in the Middle East, it is imperative that we too display those values amongst ourselves.
We urge all islanders to come together to support this statement and show through this unity and mutual respect that we oppose those who seek to divide.
Signed:
Deputy Kristina Moore, Chief Minister of Jersey on behalf of the Council of Ministers
The Very Reverend Mike Keirle, Dean of Jersey
The Reverend Canon Dominic Golding, Catholic Dean of Jersey
Mr Stephen Regal, President of the Jersey Jewish Congregation
Dr Sarfraz Jamali, Leader of Jersey’s Muslim community
The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, this morning responded to the Unity Statement. He said:
I fully support and subscribe to the sentiments contained in the Unity Statement.
We have all looked on firstly with shock and abhorrence, at the atrocities committed by Hamas on civilians in Israel and then with increasing concern and dismay, at the suffering of innocent civilians and the growing humanitarian crises in Gaza.
Jersey people have always looked outwards and been alive to the suffering of innocent people all over the world, particularly those who suffer the effects of aggression and violence.
The brutal acts of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas on women and children have left many Islanders stunned and the subsequent actions in Gaza, which again have affected so many innocent civilians, is truly shocking.
As we try to come to terms with what is unfolding moment by moment in that troubled region of the world, we can only hope and pray that the efforts of those working so hard to release hostages, and to provide a gateway for humanitarian aid, will be successful. This is a complex situation, but we hope that those with the power to do so may reach for a larger vision of peace and of humanity.
I am pleased to echo the sentiments put forward in the Unity Statement and hope, together with all Islanders, for an alleviation of the suffering of innocent people in Gaza and a swift move to the ending of hostilities.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.