Today, the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) observes the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. WCRC’s commitment to discerning, confessing, witnessing, and being Reformed has always shaped how we understand our Reformed communion’s commitments and advocacy for human rights and the protections of international law.

Palestinian women, children, and men in the Gaza Strip have been subjected to the unrelenting horrors of war, with day-and-night bombing, displacement, and starvation persisting for an agonizing 420 days. This brutal assault has taken a staggering toll, with 44,282 Palestinians killed and more than 104,880 wounded, while countless others remain trapped beneath the rubble. The indiscriminate bombing of hospitals, schools, and humanitarian workers by Israel constitutes blatant violations of international law. The devastation inflicted on Gaza has obliterated essential infrastructure and led to an incalculable loss of life among innocent men, women, and children.

This devastation follows the events of October 7th, 2023, when over 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were abducted and held hostage by Hamas. The WCRC stands for the promotion of life and condemns all forms of violations of human rights and international law.

As people of faith, we are profoundly outraged and heartbroken by the relentless destruction of lives, livelihoods, homes, and communities. We demand immediate and decisive action rooted in compassion, justice, and unwavering humanitarian principles. It is imperative that the international community responds with the urgency and gravity this crisis demands. We must stand united in the face of such profound injustice and advocate for a future where peace and dignity are restored.

Aligning our advocacy work with the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we firmly assert that the systemic military oppression faced by women in Palestine and across the region poses an existential threat to their very being. For the last 420 days, women in Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering due to the bombing of hospitals, lack of access to basic healthcare, and the dismantling of vital health infrastructure. This has forced women to give birth in their homes without any medical support or intervention, endangering both their lives and those of their newborns. We must urgently highlight the ongoing suffering of mothers and their infants, who are deprived of essential medical care. It is imperative that we recognize and act against these violations of human rights, as every woman’s right to safety, health, and dignity is non-negotiable.

While we mourn the lives of those killed and the destruction of homes and livelihoods in Lebanon, we receive news of the ceasefire with hope. We pray that news of a ceasefire in Gaza will soon emerge, that the suffering of Palestinians would cease, and that the remaining hostages taken from Israel will be released.

In a world profoundly altered and devastated by the ongoing war in Palestine, this Advent season takes on an urgent significance. The birth of the Christ child in Bethlehem, set against the backdrop of imperial violence, challenges us to confront the foundation of our Christian witness, examine our moral compass, and seek genuine hope. As we reflect on the meaning of Advent, we must not shy away from the stark realities faced by the children of Bethlehem today. Their suffering demands our attention, compassion, and action in the face of such profound injustice. This season calls us not just to remember but to respond.

We continue to hope for all who bravely bear witness, whether in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, South Korea, Sudan, or countless other places across the Communion. Their courage brings hope, and we are inspired by their steadfastness, committing ourselves to support them on their journey.

Therefore, we can only begin building that future today by calling for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of hostages, and the initiation of negotiations to achieve lasting peace. We call on our member churches to stand in solidarity with all those suffering the ravages of war and the international community to work for justice in the region so that peace can be a real and long-lasting possibility.

The WCRC, therefore, calls for:

• An immediate ceasefire in Palestine.
• An end to militarization and the supply of arms to all parties in this conflict.
• The immediate release of all hostages and political prisoners, especially children.
• The dismantling of walls—both literal and metaphorical—and the restoration of the right to freedom of movement and access to Gaza, particularly the access of humanitarian aid to all affected areas.