Church of Christ Faith Leaders Call for an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in Palestine-Israel Region

Official National Press Release For Immediate Release Wednesday, March 6, 2024 News Media Contact: Bro. Dr. James Michael Crusoe [email protected] Bro. Edward Keyton [email protected] Sis. Dr. Quintessa Hathaway [email protected] (615) 473-3213 Hopewell, Prince George County, Viriginia -- Spearheaded and supported by Bro. Dr. James Michael Crusoe, minister in Hopewell, Virginia; Bro. Edward Keyton, minister emeritus in Atlanta, Georgia; Sis. Dr. Quintessa Hathaway of Nashville, Tennessee; and Church of Christ faith leaders nationally: Bro. Dwight Brownlee of Memphis, Tennessee; Bro. Chris Jackson of Nashville, Tennessee, Bro. Perry Johnson of Tampa, Florida, Bro. John Marshall of Anderson, South Carolina, Bro. Roosevelt Johnson of Metropolitan Savannah, Georgia, Bro. Dr. Loyd C. Harris of Little Rock, Arkansas, Elder Joe Woodley of Hopewell, Virginia, Bro. Marvin Bailey, Emporia, Virigina, Bro. Warren Blakney of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Bro. Ruben Pillay of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa stand for a permanent and immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. Ministers and faith leaders signed a formal letter in solidarity declaring what is happening in the Holy Land is genocide, inhumane, and is not reflective of Christian values. There is no justification for the atrocities committed by Hamas or Israel before, on, or after October 7, 2023. They condemn violations of international law as outlined in the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide as expressed by the United Nations and its International Court of Justice. As members of the Lord’s body, the foundation of their faith lies in Jesus the Christ who was a Palestinian Jew. The life and legacy of Christ requires followers to go into all the world teaching and preaching the Gospel and that the Great Commission is not limited to the church house. The Church of Christ is participating in an international reconciliation conversation. They express their faith informs them in II Corinthians 5:18-20, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” They are calling upon all faith leaders of the Church to edify members on a ceasefire in the Middle East from spiritual, political, and historical perspectives. Informational messaging began during Black History Month given its relevance, applicability, and inextricable linkages to the African American struggle for liberation and the storied history of the Palestinians and Israelis. The African American fight for civil and human rights are born out the quest for dignity and freedom. A fundamental fixture of American history is disenfranchisement (voter suppression), and at one time there was mobility inhibitions (manumission papers and emancipation notes) and housing restrictions (redlining) existed and is currently experienced by Palestinians. Additionally, the alliance between Jewish communities, the Movement, and the work to end racial injustices has carried forth into the present. The Church of Christ leaders desire local, state, and federal elected officials to pass a ceasefire resolution. It ought to include but not limited to the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Moreover, they call upon the Biden-Harris Administration to demand the rebuilding of critical infrastructure in the West Bank and to be an active participant to recognize two (2) sovereign nations. As the Church, they look forward to a day when hate speech, Islamophobia, and antisemitism decreases, Christianity increases and there is true peace in the Middle East. Note: Media outlets have the permission of each minister and leader to utilize the photographs attached.

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