[UUA-L] UUA Issues Response to Violence in Gaza

[Unitarian Universalist Association]

Over the past 10 days people of faith around the world have been shocked
and saddened by the recent violence in Israel and Gaza. The Unitarian
Universalist Association joins with its partner organizations including
Churches for Middle East Peace and Religions for Peace International in
calling for the United States President and Congress to effect robust
diplomatic efforts to bring about an immediate cease fire and secure the
access of humanitarian relief efforts in the region. 

As United Nation's Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated, the current
violence only interferes with long-term peacemaking efforts. We join
with him in recognizing that, "The only answer is an end to the
violence. Whatever the rationale of the combatants, only an end to
violence and a political way forward, can deliver long-term security and
peace." Today's news that consensus is emerging over principles for a
cease-fire is most welcome. 

The UUA urges our member congregations to add their voices to Churches
for Middle East Peace's current advocacy efforts
(http://www.cmep.org/Alerts/2009Jan6.htm ), and to participate with
local interfaith colleagues witnessing for an end to the violence and a
return to peacemaking;  remember, during worship, the terrible pain and
suffering of innocent people in the region; educate themselves and their
congregations about the history and complexity of the conflict between
Israelis and Palestinians; support humanitarian efforts in Gaza by
making donations through the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's
Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Fund; make use of our Association's
'Peacemaking' resources
(http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/peacemakin
g/index.shtml ); share stories of congregational engagement with the
UUA; and share comments and feedback
(http://www.uua.org/documents/csw/pm_soc_feedback_faq.pdf) with the
UUA's Commission on Social Witness (email:  socialwitness at uua.org) .

For a Peacemaking Prayer written by Rev. Eric Cherry, UUA Director of
International Resources, visit:
http://www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/meditationsand/submissions/1
26695.shtml .  To contribute to the Unitarian Universalist Service
Committee's Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Fund, visit http://www.uusc.org/ .