The Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE) has expressed its “deep concern” about the “serious humanitarian crisis” in the Gaza Strip in a statement urging the international community and the leaders involved to “act with ethical and moral responsibility”.

The FEREDE represents most evangelical churches and organisations before the Spanish government.

The evangelical platform is “deeply moved” by the “suffering of thousands of people, mostly women, children, the elderly and families”.

FEREDE urgently calls on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “stop the military attacks that continue to cause an unacceptable number of civilian casualties” and “guarantee the immediate and unrestricted entry of essential humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza”.

In addition, they reiterate in a statement “the need for a real and lasting ceasefire, allowing not only the cessation of hostilities but also the resumption of serious negotiations leading to a just and sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians”.

On 30 May, the US government said Israel had “signed off” on a ceasefire agreement but was waiting for a formal response from Hamas.

“The protection of human life and respect for international humanitarian law must prevail over all political or strategic considerations”, the FEREDE added.

Opinions on the situation in Gaza and the hostilities between the Israeli government and Hamas are diverse, also among evangelical Christians in Spain.

Ethical and moral responsibility

FEREDE also commented on the war in Ukraine, underlining “the suffering of the Ukrainian people” after more than three years of full-scale war. The Spanish evangelical organisation calls for “a definitive ceasefire and a return to the diplomatic path as the only viable solution”.

“As believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, we lift up our prayers for the victims of these conflicts and urge political leaders to act with ethical and moral responsibility, seeking the common good above particular interests”, concludes FEREDE.