The two met during the 2024 Festival of Saint Olav in Trondheim, where this year’s focus is the significance of the rule of law. Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and Dr Yousef AlKhouri acknowledge the ongoing catastrophe.
“For decades, we have listened to the plight and cry of Palestinian Christians. (…) They describe their experiences today as one of insecurity, violations of human rights, occupation, annexation, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, and genocide.”
In the statement, the theologians urge the international community to ensure that Israel fulfills its duties to immediately suspend military operations in and against Gaza and take all reasonable measures to prevent genocide.
The statement urges the member churches of the World Council of Churches to act.
“We call on all member churches of the World Council of Churches to do what they can to promote the rule of law and work for an end to this catastrophe through their statements, actions, investments, and priorities, according to how it is defined now through the statements of the highest international court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ).”
Rev. Dr Fykse Tveit and Dr AlKhouri emphasize the ICJ’s ruling on July 19, 2024, declaring Israel’s occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem unlawful, along with the settlement regime, annexation, and exploitation of natural resources. The statement reiterates the ICJ’s mandate to Israel to end its occupation, dismantle settlements, provide reparations to Palestinian victims, and facilitate the return of displaced people.