
Earlier this week the United States government announced a reversal of decades of US’ policy on Israeli settlements, declaring that “the establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not, per se, inconsistent with international law.”
The UN General Assembly and Security Council, as well as the International Court of Justice, have stated that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal under international law, violating among other obligations, article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.
The Lutheran World Federation expresses serious concerns about this unilateral step which undermines international law and the multilateral platforms created to address situations of occupation of territory, and the obligations and responsibilities of Occupying Powers.
This unilateral action of the US Administration furthermore undermines a global consensus forged in multilateral efforts by the nations of the world to safeguard peace, development, and human rights.
The LWF reiterates its call for good faith efforts to negotiate a final status agreement which affirms two states for two peoples, internationally recognized borders between Israel and a viable, contiguous Palestine based on the 1967 armistice lines, security guarantees for Israel and Palestine, mutual recognition and full and equal rights for their citizens, a fair resolution to the Palestinian refugee issue, and a shared Jerusalem between Israelis and Palestinians with free access to the holy sites for the three monotheistic faiths — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The LWF calls upon the community of states to ensure
The LWF calls upon its member churches to continue
The Lutheran World Federation is a global communion of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing over 75 million Christians in 99 countries. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication and the various aspects of mission and development.
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