Church leaders from across Britain and Ireland, including the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, have issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza.

The statement, published today ahead of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, urges the release of all hostages and prisoners and calls for unfettered humanitarian access. It describes the latest assault on Gaza City as a ‘deadly escalation’ that is ‘futile and must stop’.

The leaders also commended the work of churches in Gaza who continue to shelter civilians in their buildings. They asked Christians in the UK and Ireland to pray for peace in the Holy Land and to support efforts to alleviate suffering.

‘The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:5), the statement said, giving thanks for clergy, nuns and humanitarian workers who remain in Gaza to provide care.

The signatories include representatives of Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Free Church and ecumenical bodies.

Full statement

For two years now we have lamented daily the futile loss of life, the suffering and desolation that has unfolded across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory following the atrocities committed by Hamas on 7 October 2023.

We have called repeatedly for an end to the war in Gaza, that the hostages and prisoners be released, and that unfettered aid reach those in need. Despite our pleas, the conflict continues unabated with the deliberate and forcible mass displacement of civilians, ever more innocent blood shed, homes destroyed, cultural and religious sites damaged or destroyed, and children left dying from hunger and starvation.

We fear that the unfolding assault on Gaza City will only intensify the human suffering and misery as already malnourished and traumatised families are forced, yet again, to flee the horrors of this war. This deadly escalation is futile and must stop. We are encouraged to note that the Foreign Secretary has already described the Government of Israel’s action as ‘utterly reckless and appalling’. We share her assessment.

At a time of such devastation and inhumanity, we give thanks to the Churches of the Holy Land for their faithful service, profound solidarity and peaceful witness. We pray especially for the clergy and nuns at the Greek compound of Saint Porphyrius and the Latin compound of the Holy Family in Gaza City who have decided to remain and care for the hundreds of civilians that have sought refuge in these Church buildings. We pray too for Gaza Baptist Church, and the vital humanitarian work they are carrying out in partnership with Christian Mission to Gaza, and the Anglican Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Of all these faithful servants it can surely be said, The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

We remain steadfastly against the evils that this war has unleashed and we stand firm in our belief that this is not the right way, that death and destruction will not triumph. As the Latin and Orthodox Patriarchs put it, “there can be no future based on captivity, displacement or revenge”; no lasting security as long as justice and integral human rights are denied (26 August 2025).

We urge the international community to do all in its power to ensure that Israel, as the occupying power, uphold its responsibilities under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to ensure the provision of food, water, medicine and other essentials to those in need. Religious and cultural sites must be protected and respected.

Even though the consequences of this war will be long lasting, and the prospects for a just and lasting peace appear distant, we continue to have faith that a better future is possible – a peace that upholds all human dignity and that provides for the flourishing of all communities.

In these violent and dark days, we invite our churches not to despair, but to join with us in praying for an end to this war – to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122) – and, in working with the Churches in the Holy Land and with all those who have the courage to seek what is good, to help create and support the conditions of healing and life in this troubled land.

We pray that through these efforts we might deepen our own relationship with one another and in turn with Christ, our Saviour, the Prince of Peace.

Read the full statement on the Archbishop of York’s website.