Faith groups condemn last week’s attacks on Iran and urge de-escalation

Faith groups affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are condemning last week’s attacks by Israel on Iranian territory, and the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness has issued a statement as well.

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The World Council of Churches called the June 13 attacks, which have been countered by Iran, “an unlawful act that violates international law and the sovereignty of a nation-state.”

“Such aggression endangers the entire Middle East region, reignites cycles of violence, and risks triggering a catastrophic war with global implications,” the WCC said in a statement from the Rev. Prof. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary. “It challenges all efforts made through diplomacy and dialogue, and gravely undermines the pursuit of peace, justice and human dignity.”

“The peoples of the Middle East have suffered enough,” the WCC said. “We call upon the international community to hold accountable those who threaten peace, and to act urgently to prevent further escalation. The WCC remains steadfast in its call for justice, restraint and dialogue as the only moral and sustainable way forward.”

The PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness issued this statement Tuesday: “The Office of Public Witness grieves the escalating violence between Israel and Iran and the grave risk it poses to regional and global peace. We join others in urging all parties to step back from the brink of war and return to diplomatic paths grounded in justice, human dignity, and international law. The preemptive attack by Israel was a violation of international law and the spiraling violence endangers countless lives and must be met with international accountability. As people of faith, we pray for wisdom, restraint, and a just peace that honors the sacred worth of every human life.” 

OPW noted that U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia introduced a War Powers Resolution on Iran on Monday. That same day, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the No War Against Iran Act. The act would ban federal funds from being used for war with Iran and has several cosponsors, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Peter Welch of Vermont, Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Tina Smith of Minnesota and Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced a similar bipartisan War Powers Resolution  Tuesday. Rep. Ro Khanna of California was the co-sponsor. OPW issued an Action Alert Wednesday, asking Presbyterians to contact their legislators and urge a "yes" vote on the War Powers Resolution.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches published a prayer, raising the conflict between Israel and Iran to God, “recognizing that all life is sacred, and that all humans are created in your image, precious in your eyes.”

“Grant us your eyes to see, and your heart, that we may work toward peace,” the prayer stated. “Let us long for a day when no nation will rise up against another, but we will learn to live together as siblings, accepting one another in love — that we will abhor the weapons of war and mass destruction, and will turn to building that which makes for peace instead.”

Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, noted that the attack came just days before the United States and Iran were set to resume negotiations aimed to reach a new treaty on Iran’s nuclear program. “Israel’s provocative and dangerous attack likely reduces any progress on such an agreement, and is an egregious escalation of Israel’s regional war,” the statement said.

“Our churches have opposed military escalation, spoken against assassinations, and been critical of ‘maximum pressure’ sanctions, while supporting negotiations to reach resolution,” the statement says. “We join the voices in the global community calling for ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the operation in the West Bank, and for an immediate de-escalation of this intensifying crisis in Lebanon and Yemen [and now Iran]. We condemn Israel’s provocative campaign of assassinations.”

“We call on the U.S. to use its leverage to halt Israel’s aggression in the region and redouble its efforts to seek a peaceful negotiated resolution with Iran … We urge our faithful members to contact elected officials to convey this message, and to press for an immediate de-escalation. Our fervent prayers and our continued efforts seek an end to war and destruction of life, and the richness of life and dignity for all God’s children.”

Learn more here.