The Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) calls for solidarity with its members in the Middle East. At the same time, it appeals to political leaders and diplomats to do everything in their power to bring about an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East, to uphold the rule of law and human rights, and to help create the foundations for peaceful coexistence in the future.

The international EMS community consists of 25 churches and five mission societies worldwide. Among its members are, for example, the National Evangelical Church of Beirut (NECB), the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (EDJ) – with congregations and institutions in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria –, as well as the Evangelical Association for the Schneller Schools (EVS). Through the “Studies in the Middle East” (SiMO) program, EMS is also closely connected to the Near East School of Theology (NEST), a Protestant theological seminary in Beirut.

In the face of violence, human rights violations, and recurring outbreaks of armed conflict, our solidarity goes first and foremost to our Lebanese, Jordanian, and Palestinian brothers and sisters on the ground, who – often under extremely difficult conditions – work for peaceful coexistence, equitable participation, comprehensive education, and medical and humanitarian care for refugees and victims of war. The commitment of NECB and EDJ, the Schneller Schools, and NEST deserves our gratitude, respect, and support in prayer and in action.

Solidarity and empathy with the victims go hand in hand. We strongly oppose any attempt to relativize, deny, or even justify the suffering and trauma of victims of sexualized violence, kidnapping, bombardment, displacement, and group-focused enmity.

Our member churches in the region are particularly affected by the mass displacement caused by the near-total destruction of southern Lebanon, the suffering in the devastated Gaza Strip, and by settler violence in the West Bank (often not contained – or even encouraged – by Israeli security forces). Right-wing extremist forces in the Israeli government foster a climate of hatred toward all who are perceived as “different.” In addition, the widespread use of so-called “administrative detention” (imprisonment without charge) by Israeli authorities appears increasingly difficult to justify: for many months, we were deeply concerned about Layan Nasir, a young Palestinian student from our Anglican EMS member church, and her family – until she was released without being convicted. We currently follow the case of Natalie Abu Dayyeh, a Lutheran Christian from Ramallah, who, together with other students, was arrested at night from her dormitory. We call on our representatives in politics and diplomacy to emphatically advocate for the immediate release of such young people.

The violence carried out by militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah has brought great suffering to the entire region and, in the latter case, also threatens the integrity of Lebanon. The – necessary! – disarmament of such organizations, as well as the dismantling of their military infrastructure, can only succeed through the strengthening of international mechanisms within the framework of the United Nations, particularly UNIFIL. This explicitly includes a critical evaluation and review of past failures. The Lebanese government, its prime minister, and its president – who had been working to restore their state’s monopoly on power long before the Israeli invasion – deserve strong international support. Actions by individual state actors that violate international law, on the other hand, contribute to Lebanon’s disintegration and thereby to the ongoing instability of the entire region.

Politics and diplomacy have options for action that should be used more decisively, also in Germany. We therefore call for an assessment of the current hostilities based on international law, combined with consistent application of German legislation on arms exports and a strengthening of the international mechanisms mentioned above.

We call on political and civil society actors to lay the foundations now for peaceful coexistence in the future. Neither Israel, Palestine, nor Lebanon will simply disappear in the future. Throughout the region, there are people who often go to great personal lengths to foster better coexistence. It is therefore worthwhile to work now on a shared future.

“Thus says the Lord Almighty: Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.” (Zechariah 8:4–5)

As for Jerusalem, so this is our hope for the entire Middle East.

Contact: Rev. Dr Uwe Gräbe, Head of Unit Middle East, graebe@dont-want-spam.ems-online.org

Our urgent appeal

Pray with us

- for peace and an end to all violence
- for protection and strength for our member churches, their institutions, their congregations, and volunteers
- for all who are fleeing or grieving the loss of loved ones
- for political leaders who must make decisions of farreaching consequence

Donate

Your support is urgently needed so that we can continue to:

- provide safe shelter for displaced people
- supply food, water, and other urgently needed relief items
- care for, protect, and accompany children and young people

Every contribution to the EMS Emergency Relief Fund – whether large or small – directly supports people in crisis and emergency situations, as is now the case in the Middle East.