From Bishop Richard Randerson

For immediate release January 6

The greater the power, the greater the responsibility

‘Israel’s invasion of Gaza is taking an intolerable toll on innocent children, women and men – and the nations with the most power to bring about a ceasefire have the greatest responsibility to do so’

A statement by Anglican Bishop and inter-faith participant Richard Randerson who intends taking part in today’s Peace March in Wellington

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in which death, injury, homelessness, starvation and fear are being inflicted on the lives of innocent children, women and men, is the centrally compelling reason for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza.

Israel should withdraw their troops, and cease rocket and air strikes against a helpless people; just as Hamas should end its rocket attacks on Israelis.

While Hamas must accept some responsibility for provoking the Israeli response, yet that response is totally disproportionate to the scale of the provocation. The loss of 500 lives in Gaza to date, many of them innocent civilians, fails any test of humanitarian concern and justice.

The immediate crisis is part of a longer running failure to provide well-being and a secure homeland for millions of Palestinians displaced from their homes in 1948. Many of them have lived as refugees ever since. Compared with Israel, the Palestinians are powerless, homeless, impoverished and suffer restricted freedoms.

A greater responsibility devolves in consequence upon Israel, the USA and the international community, including New Zealand, to carry the onus for genuine peace-making initiatives. The nations with the greater power have the greater responsibility, and the capacity, for an effective peace-making process.

The leaders of the three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, share a common faith commitment to building a world in which justice and peace for all are the central characteristics. It is this spirit which should undergird the politics and strategies for peace of the world’s political leaders. (Statement Ends)

Bishop Richard Randerson will join the Peace March in Wellington today as a sign of commitment to peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

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