” “After Benedict XVI, the World Church Council (Wcc) too is asking its members "to pray for all those who suffer from the crisis in the Middle East, back up the appeals for humanitarian aids and speak up for justice and peace among the states and the populations of the region". This exhortation comes today from the secretary general of Wcc, Samuel Kobia, and is contained in a pastoral letter, which asks the churches "to join forces before God to mourn the loss of human lives, the destruction of houses and living environments". Kobia encourages the churches of Wcc to support the humanitarian campaign promoted by the Council to help "those who have been forced to leave their homes by the bombings in Lebanon and the besieged of Gaza". In the letter, the secretary asks for "an immediate ceasefire and protection for civilians, the release of the detainees or a trial according to international law and the end of the illegal occupation of the territories". Measures which, according to Kobia, "combined with negotiations and the deployment of an international force", are "alternative options to violence in Lebanon, Israel and Gaza".” “
