September 1, 2010

The Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, condemns the killings of the four Israeli settlers near Hebron in the West Bank on Tuesday and expresses his condolences to the affected families. He rejects any use of violence as a means to gain the much-desired and needed peace for this region.

"At a time when Palestinian and Israeli leaders are beginning negotiations, the extremists who encourage and legitimize violence must not be allowed to succeed," said Tveit in a statement.

"To bring security to both Israelis and Palestinians, the negotiations must stop the occupation and all the injustices that ordinary Palestinians experience each day," he continued.

The general secretary added that he and the WCC are praying for the success of the negotiations: "It is urgent that the leaders take the necessary steps toward a just peace and not bring another moment of disappointment and injustice to the people in the region."

World Council of Churches