National Justice and Peace Conference statement on the Palestine-Israel conflict
We, the delegates of the 2025 Conference of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, gathered in Swanwick stand in solidarity with all those suffering the horrors of war in Palestine and Israel. Echoing the urgent appeal of Pope Francis: “I follow with great concern the extremely serious humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the civilian population is crushed by hunger and continues to be exposed to violence and death... Every human person has an intrinsic dignity bestowed by God Himself... I urge negotiating a future of peace for all peoples and rejecting anything that could jeopardise it.” We share the Pope’s profound alarm at the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and reaffirm the Church’s unwavering commitment to the dignity of every human being—regardless of nationality, religion, or political identity The continued bombardment of Gaza, the illegal occupation of the West Bank, and the targeting of civilians, humanitarian workers, and journalists are not isolated tragedies—they are violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. As Mary Robinson recently told the UN: “We are witnessing an unfolding genocide in Gaza.” The International Court of Justice has affirmed that Israel’s actions in the West Bank amount to de facto annexation and breach international obligations on racial segregation and apartheid. We grieve all lives lost—Palestinian and Israeli—and condemn indiscriminate violence and hostage-taking by all parties. But the scale and intensity of Israel’s military response is overwhelmingly disproportionate and morally indefensible. There can be no Peace without justice. The time for silence is over. The time for prophetic action is now. To the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales We urge you to:
Publicly and unequivocally condemn the Israeli Government’s war of aggression in Gaza;
Speak out against the use of starvation, denial of healthcare, and targeting of civilians—grave breaches of international law;
Raise your voice, in the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching, for a peace rooted in human dignity, equality, and justice for all.
To the British Government and all political leaders We call for principled and urgent action to uphold international law and human rights:
Secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces;
Guarantee the safe and unrestricted delivery of all humanitarian aid;
Impose a comprehensive arms embargo and end all military cooperation with Israel;
Secure the release of all hostages—Israeli and Palestinian alike;
Recognise the State of Palestine without conditions or delay;
Suspend trade with illegal Israeli settlements and with entities complicit in occupation or war crimes;
End the blockade of Gaza and dismantle the occupation of the West Bank;
Pursue international accountability for violations of humanitarian law—by Hamas, Israeli forces, and settlers. - Enforce targeted sanctions to end impunity and uphold justice.
His Eminence, Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has appealed to us, and the international community, to do what is right for everyone, in a way that restores human dignity. He said, ‘it is time to end this nonsense, end the war and put the common good of people as the top priority.’ ‘Let us not turn peace into a slogan, while war remains the daily bread of the poor.’ As people of faith and conscience, we must not settle for a fragile peace maintained by fear, nor a silence born of complicity. We are called to a Just Peace—a peace that refuses to dehumanise, that dismantles injustice, and that centres the common good of all people. The time is now—to speak, to act, and to stand with courage for a future rooted in justice, human dignity, and the radical hope that peace is possible. Anne Peacey, Chair of Conference Planning Group 19th September 2025
JUSTICE AND PEACE
What can I do about the starvation of Palestinians? A question we all ask ourselves.
You or your parents will remember, perhaps, that apartheid in South Africa was significantly weakened by protests, boycotts and internal resistance, further limiting South Africa’s access to trade, investment and cultural institutions. At this point international sanctions and condemnation could lever “a shift in political leadership within South Africa, [leading] to the dismantling of apartheid laws and the establishment of a democratic government with universal suffrage in 1994.” What worked in South Africa could work again in Israel, where the failure of state-promoted apartheid and every day persecution to drive out Palestinians is resulting in de facto starvation and genocide. More and more of us are turning to BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) forcing our resistance into the reality and awareness of our daily lives. The BDS website ( https://bdsmovement.net/ ) draws attention to those every-day businesses and commercial enterprises we should target. Beware! This will call for sacrifices, from you and your families! You may encounter opposition from your children when the guilty list is known! Please - be the feet, the hands, the body of Christ in today’s world.
David Cragg-James 15 August 2025
‘Assisted Dying Bill’ JUSTICE AND PEACE
Let’s call a spade a spade. The (unofficial) name above for this Bill which passed its 2nd reading in the Commons before Christmas is a euphemism. What is at stake is assisted suicide. Assisted dying is available already with palliative care. This Bill must not pass its 3rd reading. I feel many of us think this. The problem is that our MP in Thirsk and Malton, seduced by the polls, does not know many of us think this unless we tell him. Repeatedly. If we don’t and perhaps even if we do, he will vote for it. There are many things we can point out in communicating with him. Here’s one…………
Wherever assisted suicide and/or euthanasia has been legalised, the Netherlands, Belgian and Oregon for example, the number of cases has risen over time. The culture has been changed by the change in the law. Killing has been normalised.
Reported cases of euthanasia and assisted suicide have more than quadrupled - 1882 cases in 2002, 9068 cases in 2023.
Reported cases of euthanasia have more than doubled in 10 years. In 2013 there were 1807 cases. In 2023 there were 3423.
The number of assisted suicides in 2023 was 367, over five times more than the figure ten years earlier. (Source The Christian Institute. U.K.)
David Cragg-James 10 January 2025
A reminder of Pete Widlinski's talk about his work with refugees at the Buck Inn, Thornton Dale, at 7.30 on Monday Jan 23rd. The organisers are Ryedale Labour. Pete's work in the past with Justice First and other relevant organisations has given him first hand experience of the problems faced by asylum seekers and refugees. Come along if you can. Welcome from 7pm.
As promised, a date for the screening of The Oil Machine. We have decided on Thursday January 26th. at 7pm in St. Benedict's Hall. How can we break our addition to oil? Join us for a screening of the new film The Oil Machine The Oil Machine explores our economic, historical and emotional entanglement with fossil fuels by looking at the conflicting imperatives around North Sea oil & gas. This invisible machine at the core of our economy and society now faces an uncertain future as activists and investors demand change. Is this the end of oil? The film brings together a wide range of voices from oil company executives, economists, young activists, oil workers, pension fund managers, and considers how this machine can be tamed, dismantled or repurposed.
The Diocesan Justice and Peace have organised an event for Saturday 4th February 2023 at St. Bede’s Pastoral Centre, 21, Blossom Street, York. YO24 1AQ ‘Let us Dream: How can our parishes save our Common Home?’ Barbara Hungin writes: We are very much looking forward to welcoming John Paul de Quay to our February meeting who will explore this theme/introduce resources/help us to a vision of the future which we can share within our Diocese. John Paul is a member of the Ecological Conversion Group and joint author of ‘Journey to 2030’ a resource combining spirituality and practical steps which both builds on what is already in place and enthuses people and parishes to new ways of working. We will explore our unique place as human beings in this world and our right relationship to our common home. The meeting will begin around 10.30a.m. with tea/coffee available from 10.00a.m. We finish with a shared lunch around 12.30p.m. There is parking behind the Bar Convent and in the Nunnery Lane Car Park. [email protected] Everyone very welcome. Please try and come. Have a word with David, Anthony or Fr. Kentigern if you'd like to try and share transport.