Archbishop Nolan has added his voice to that of Church leaders from across the UK to plea for a ceasefire in the Holy Land. 

In a letter drawn up by the Christian Aid charity, the Archbishop and his fellow signatories say there can be no justification for the deliberate killing, maiming and kidnapping of civilians, ‘which is a crime under international law and for which the perpetrators should be held accountable’.

They also “unequivocally condemn the violence carried out by Hamas in Israel on 7 October”.

The letter states: “Subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza has added enormously to the toll of civilian suffering. Innocent Palestinians are going through an increasingly grave humanitarian crisis as a result the Israeli government’s strategy of relentless bombardment, which has left no place safe, and of siege, which effectively strangles life.”

The Church leaders, who include the Kirk’s Moderator, call on the UK Government to help bring about an immediate end to the violence. Specifically, they call for:

• Protection of civilians and an end to all violence, with adoption of a ceasefire without conditions.
• The unconditional and immediate release of all hostages.
• Unfettered and immediate humanitarian access, as urged by the UN, including immediate reconnection to water and electricity.
• Unequivocal support for the ICC to conduct a truly independent investigation into all war crimes to ensure accountability.
• Acknowledgement of the failure of the international community to effectively engage with any meaningful peace process, and a commitment to work ceaselessly from now on to address the root causes of the violence which must include an end to the occupation.