The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued a statement in response to the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and across Israel.

Responding to the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and across Israel, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said today:

“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the eruption and escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and across Israel. As we continue urgently to hold the people of the region in our prayers, we must pray also for all people of goodwill to come together to protect the innocent and promote peace in the land.

“We condemn the recent abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers, and the abduction and murder of a Palestinian youth. These senseless crimes are wicked and must be condemned by decent people everywhere.

“But the conflict that has arisen in the aftermath of these tragic events is the wrong way to proceed.  As each day passes we see more innocent lives, including those of children, lost in the terrible cycle of revenge – no good can possibly come of this. It makes the search for a lasting peace that much harder and more elusive. We must all join hands to appeal to all sides to show restraint and to seek the way of dialogue to end all conflict in the region.

“May the God of peace hear our prayers. Amen.”