PGI urges halt to military escalation in Middle East region

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Council of Churches (PGI) has expressed deep concern over military escalation and military actions in the Middle East region, as these have the potential to trigger a global crisis, and has called on the countries involved to halt such activities.

In a statement signed by chairman Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty and secretary-general Darwin Dharmawan, the PGI assessed that the situation has created regional instability and increased the risk of interstate conflict spreading.

“The PGI condemns various military actions conducted by numerous countries, including the involvement of the United States and Israel against Iran, the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as Iran’s military retaliation in the region, which are deemed to be further expanding the circle of violence and threatening international security,” the statement read, received in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to the PGI, the church’s position is not directed towards the political interests of any particular nation, but rather towards the civilians affected by the conflict, including separated families and children experiencing fear and trauma.

Furthermore, the PGI called on the faithful to pray for peace, show solidarity with victims, and avoid hate speech and polarisation amidst the global situation, which is deemed increasingly fragile.

The PGI hopes that world leaders will gain wisdom in choosing the path of peace and cease actions that threaten human life and environmental preservation, in order to realise true peace for all humanity.

“May God’s love and justice be evident in the world, so that true peace prevails for all humanity,” the statement concluded.