Northern Illinois Conference's Board of Church and Society joins the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society and other faith groups and communities in calling for a ceasefire, de-escalation, and restraint following the violent conflict between Israel and Hamas.  

We are heartbroken by the escalating violence in Palestine and Israel. We send our sympathies and solidarity to all Israelis and Palestinians who lost loved ones on Oct. 7.  And we decry Israel’s response to relentlessly bomb Gaza night and day, collectively punishing the two million residents of Gaza, more than half of whom are children; most are refugees, living in the most densely populated area in the world.  As we enter the fourth week of Israel’s assault on Gaza, Israel has declared a full siege of Gaza and has blocked the entry of fuel, electricity, water, food, and goods into Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.  We mourn the more than 8,000 Palestinians who have been killed in Gaza, especially the 3,342 children who have been killed.  We grieve that each child is special, each child has a name—like three-year-old Sabah Al-Khatib, who was killed along with her mother, three aunts, and their children.  We are  disturbed that Save our Children has reported that Israel has killed more children in Gaza in three weeks than have been killed in all global conflict annually since 2019.  

More than 8,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s relentless bombing attacks.  The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that between Oct. 7 and 31,  31 journalists have confirmed dead: 26 Palestinians, 4 Israelis, and 1 Lebanese.  Palestinian journalists also have been subjected to continued attacks, arrests, threats, censorship, and killings of family members.  

As people of faith, we reiterate the United Methodist Social Principles statement (165C)  that "we believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ.  . . .  As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict. We insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to work together to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them. "

This war cannot be understood without  a clear look at historical perspective. We know the context in which this most recent Israeli assault has taken place:  the people in Gaza are in the sixteenth year of a crippling blockade imposed by Israel, with little access to electricity, medical care, jobs, education, or other essentials of a decent life. The water resources have been almost totally contaminated.  

Even before Oct. 7, in the West Bank just in this year,  more than 250 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military and illegal settlers; 1,100 Palestinians have been forced from their homes; there were more than 800 attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers that resulted in injuries and property loss. We recall the news this summer of attacks on Turmusaya, while an Illinois official and his family were there on vacation.  And, since Oct. 7, no less than 1,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced; 109 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or illegal settlers, including 33 children.  

The Northern Illinois Conference Board of Church and Society joins GBCS and other ecumenical partners in  "calling Congress to take action that de-escalates the conflict, upholds international conventions and supports unrestricted humanitarian aid allowing agencies to provide food, water and medical supplies in the war-torn region."  We acknowledge that a central part of calling for peace also requires that Israel change long-term policies that ignore the apartheid realities and Israeli abuses of Palestinian rights; we ask Congress to reject efforts to transfer or “relocate” Palestinians, many of whom still are refugees.  

We urge NIC clergy and laity to take action for peace by contacting their legislators through this GBCS site.   

 NIC has been first, or one of the first, annual conference to pass resolutions:

• advocating for the rights of Palestinian Children and Families (2022: 700.01)
• opposing unjust theology regarding the holy land (2022: 700.10)
• supporting the right to free speech and to engage in non-violent actions (700.16)
• Identifying and opposing apartheid in the holy land (2023: 700.15)

Our resolutions speak to the need to follow the United Methodist Social Principles, to urge us to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).  So, we ask that all of us continue to lift up the work our resolutions call us to do, even as we advocate for a cease-fire in Gaza.  

NIC's Bishop Dan Schwerin adds, “I appreciate the work of our Northern Illinois Conference Board of Church and Society and our partnership with the General Board of Church and Society, and this statement that calls for action toward a ceasefire and peace. I thank God for the work of the Spirit through human conscience, and I pray that (1) we remember all Israelis and Palestinians who lost loved ones on October 7, (2) consciences are moved to both return the hostages and (3) enact a ceasefire and care for the wounded that we might live into peace and well-being among the children of God. May United Methodists reach out to these grieving neighbors, and be in prayer and compassion as long as necessary.”