Letter of the Council of Churches in the Netherlands to the Middle East Council of Churches

Middle East Council of Churches
Mr. Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
Beirut
LEBANON

Amersfoort, 18 July 2006

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Council of Churches in the Netherlands is deeply shocked by the recent outbursts of violence in Lebanon, Israel and the Gaza region. It is terrible to see that many violent and terrifying events caused death, destruction and profound suffering of countless innocent people of different faiths and ethnicity.

We want to express our profound concern and our sincere sympathy with all the victims, especially the many civilians, men, women and children. Many persons were wounded or killed by the bombings; many families lost their homes and sources of income; and even more people lost their expectations of a better life and a future of justice and peace.

We want to let you know that your families, your churches and all the peoples in the Middle East are present in our prayers. In our country many Christians are praying for a peaceful and just solution of the conflict and are asking the Dutch government to do its utmost, together with other European governments, to stop the escalation of violence. We pray God, who is the Lord of Peace, to bless all efforts to resolve the conflict and to find a just and long-lasting peace.

Yours in Christ,

on behalf of the Council of Churches in the Netherlands,

Rev. Ineke Bakker,
General Secretary.