London, Dec 29, IRNA ,Methodist Christians in Britain have expressed their alarm at the latest Israeli massacre of more than 300 Palestinians in Gaza.
“The devastating death toll resulting from Israeli air strikes has shocked many,” said Steve Hucklesby, public issues policy advisor at the Methodist Church.
“Rather than improving security, this action by Israel could compound conflict in the region,” Hucklesby warned, Christian news service, Ekklesia reported Monday.
Methodists are one of the largest Christian churches in Britain, with nearly 265,000 members. Their membership worldwide is believed to number some 70 million, including US President George W Bush.
The church called on the European Union, the United States and the United Nations to bring increased pressure on Israel as well as on Hamas to refrain from violence.
“At this time of year when the focus of Christians around the world is on the Holy Land we pray for courageous leadership in the cause of peace,” Hucklesby said.
He said that Gaza was ‘already suffering a dire humanitarian situation (that) has not been helped by Israel’s blockade and restrictions on relief supplies’.
He called for food, fuel and medical supplies being needed urgently.