The Parliament of the World’s Religions calls for an end to the agony in Gaza and a lasting peace in the Middle East with a permanent resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict through the sustained implementation of a two-state solution.
Today, we call for:
- An immediate ceasefire and end to violence on all sides
- Delivery of food and water to all people in need with their safety ensured
- Delivery of crucial medicine, health care, fuel and other necessities to all people in need
- The release of all hostages and bodies of deceased hostages
- An end to all blockades and obstructions to aid delivery with channels of supply kept open and protected
- The uninterrupted work of humanitarian organizations without interference
We support the critical influence of local religious and civic leaders of goodwill in the region in shaping a sustainable future. In addition, we call for individuals and communities of goodwill everywhere to render immediate financial and other material assistance to the organizations listed below, and/or others of equal reputation:
Towards a Global Ethic is the guiding document of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, which includes our core conviction that “Every human being … possesses an inalienable and untouchable dignity. And everyone, the individual as well as the state, is obligated to honor this dignity and protect it.”
This conviction is echoed in the New York Declaration, adopted at a high-level meeting at the United Nations on July 30th and signed by the 22 members of the Arab League, all members of the European Union and numerous additional countries. The Declaration includes the first official condemnation by Arab countries of the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed around 1,200 civilians, and calls for Hamas to disarm and to end its rule in Gaza.
The New York Declaration explicitly calls for a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian access, reconstruction under the Palestinian Authority, and stabilization through a possible temporary UN mission as well as implementation of the two-state solution.
The Parliament of the World’s Religions is an international interfaith organization associated to the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Our mission is to bring into being a world of peace, justice and sustainability through interfaith harmony and cooperation and partnership with the guiding institutions of society. We welcome adherents of all religions, spiritual paths and ethical convictions. This statement does not officially represent the views of any religion.