Dear bishop Azar and all sister and brothers in Christ in ELCJHL!
As bishop in your sister diocese of Borg in The Church of Norway I am deeply disturbed by the aggressive way the present Israeli regime is acting against the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, on the West Bank, in the state of Israel and on Gaza. The use of police force inside the Al -Aqsa Mosque is violating a sacred place and the right to worship. What the Israeli regime call retaliation is not at all proportional to the not acceptable attacks on civilians in Israel.
I assure you that we have listened to the plea from the churchleaders in Jerusalem and we join you in your prayers for peace, justice and respect for international law.
May the cry of the suffering be heard by The triune God as they were heard when the people suffered under pharaoh, may the Holy Spirit raise up people with the vision of peace with justice and give them strength to transform oppression, insecurity and fear to a society respecting human dignity and promoting human rights of all persons and people.
Yours in Christ
Atle Sommerfeldt
Bishop
Borg Diocese
Church of Norway