January 2009

Religious Groups Appeal for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

The Japanese Committee of the World Conference of Religions for Peace and Rissho Kosei-kai issued emergency appeals for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Palestinian militants in Gaza were launching rockets into Israel, and a fierce military offensive by Israeli forces had reduced much of Gaza's neighborhoods to rubble, killing more than 1,000 people, including many children.

Religions for Peace Japan issued an "Urgent Appeal: Stop Violence in the Middle East" under the name of its president, Rev. Nichiko Niwano. Copies were sent January 10 to Israel's ambassador to Japan, Mr. Nissim Ben-Shitrit, and the Permanent General Mission of Palestine's ambassador, Mr. Waleed Siam.

Rissho Kosei-kai also made public an appeal "Praying for a Resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict," issued under the name of its board chair, Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe.

On January 5, Dr. William F. Vendley, secretary-general of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, issued a statement urging Israeli and Palestinian leaders to initiate an immediate ceasefire and saying, "Additional urgently needed provisions and humanitarian supplies must be provided to the Palestinians in Gaza." The statement also says, "Jews, Christians and Muslims, supported by the goodwill of believers of all religious faiths, should unite in their efforts to build peace."

[back to News Archive]