TN Pastors: Praying for Peace in Israel/Palestine

Southern Christian Coalition issues call to end Middle East violence

A group of Tennessee pastors affiliated with the Southern Christian Coalition issued a call for peace in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

In a collective statement, the group said:

"As Christian pastors, we believe that every life is valuable and that every person is created in the image of God, whatever their religion, ethnicity, or place of birth. Every person deserves to live in safety and freedom. We believe that targeting civilians, whether in a terrorist attack or in response to such an attack, is inhumane and unacceptable. Children and innocent civilians, so often the victims of war, should never be the targets of war."

The coalition also called on Tennessee politicians to stop using the conflict for scoring political points and to focus on a push for peace.

"Today there are politicians in Tennessee and in the US using the current tragedy and violence in Israel and Gaza to play political games, causing further division, both in our communities and around the world. Now is not the time for such games. To the contrary, we believe this is a critical moment to defend the lives of the innocent victims who have suffered and whose numbers will no doubt greatly increase in the coming days."

The group says it will continue to pray for peace:

"As followers of Jesus we believe that God is a God of peace and love for all people. We are praying for Israelis and Palestinians. We are praying for an end of violence and structural oppression and for restoration. We are praying for peace."

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