Statement on Gaza

The Council of Christians and Muslims is a charitable inter-faith organisation with objectives that include the elimination of religious discrimination and racism, co-operation to promote a more just and tolerant society, and advancing education on the ethical and social teachings that are common to Christianity and Islam.

Our faiths call us to pursue the common values of peace, justice and respect for the value of human life - and remind us that actions are more telling than words. In view of the unbearable suffering that continues to be inflicted on the people of Gaza, we are compelled to repeat our call for concrete actions that give effect to these values.

In making this public statement on the tragic situation in Gaza, we express grief and compassion for our brothers and sisters of Palestinian and Jewish heritage and recognise a clear distinction between them and the actions of Hamas and of the Government of Israel.

The Council of Christians and Muslims urgently implore the New Zealand government to take immediate and decisive action regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and use its influence to urge Israel to abide by international law and UN resolutions.

We acknowledge and support the New Zealand Government for:

• Calling for unrestricted humanitarian aid and the safe operation of the UN and NGOs in Gaza¹
• Demanding access for international journalists²
• Affirming the protection of civilians and the obligations of international humanitarian law¹
• Urging an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire¹
• Rejecting any territorial or demographic changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories¹

1. The Need for Action

While we value these calls, history demonstrates that appeals alone are not enough. Without concrete action, calls are ignored, leaving civilians to face continued devastation.

We therefore call on the New Zealand Government to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.

2. Investigation of potential war crimes

The International Court of Justice has identified a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza³, and the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) declares that Israel’s war on Gaza meets the UN’s definition of genocide^{4, 5}. In this light, we call on the New Zealand Government to:

• Fully support the International Criminal Court and UN mechanisms investigating potential war crimes and crimes against humanity by all sides in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.
• Immediately review and revoke all permits for the export of strategic goods (weapons or dual-use items) that could be incorporated into military systems supplied to Israel by others.

3. Uphold International Law and UN resolutions

The Government of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, along with ongoing settlement and human rights violations in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, defy international legal norms including the United Nations Charter, the Geneva Conventions, international human rights treaties, and numerous Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

We echo the World Council of Churches, which has urged states, churches, and international institutions to impose meaningful consequences — including targeted sanctions, divestment, and arms embargoes — for Israel’s violations of international law.⁶

We also echo the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which has called for sanctions to ensure compliance with international law.⁷

We therefore call on the New Zealand Government to collaborate with the international community to impose targeted sanctions on Israel that will compel compliance with international law and Security Council Resolutions.

4. A last word

We are all confronted as we try to empathise with the unimaginable suffering of men, women, and children who tremble in fear of attack, search desperately for food and water, watch their loved ones suffer injury and death, or languish as hostages.

We are all struggling to maintain hope during this catastrophe, and despair at what it will mean for the future of the Palestinian people, the Jewish people, and for relations between people of faith.

The Council of Christians and Muslims reaffirms its commitment to inter-religious dialogue and cooperation. We stand firm against any kind of racism — including antisemitism, anti-Arab racism, and islamophobia — which dehumanises others and fuels discrimination and conflict.

We call for courageous commitment to the upholding of international law as a framework for peace, justice, and accountability; acknowledging how vital these values are for life, faith and the realisation of our shared humanity.

Footnote Reference:

1. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), "Joint Statement on Humanitarian Situation in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories," July 21, 2025, https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-resources/joint-statement-on-humanitarian-situation-in-gaza-and-the-occupied-palestinian-territories.
2. UK Government, "Media Freedom Coalition Statement on Foreign Media Access to Gaza," published August 21, 2025,

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/media-freedom-coalition-statement-on-foreign-media-access-to-gaza.

1. International Court of Justice, Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel), Order of 26 January 2024, https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en.pdf.
2. Al Jazeera, "Israel committing genocide in Gaza, scholars group says," September 1, 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/1/israel-committing-genocide-in-gaza-scholars-group-says.
3. RNZ News. "Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, says scholars' association." September 1, 2025. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/571722/israel-is-committing-genocide-in-gaza-says-scholars-association.
4. World Council of Churches, "Statement on Palestine and Israel: A Call to End Apartheid, Occupation, and Impunity in Palestine and Israel," June 24, 2025,

 https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/statement-on-palestine-and-israel-a-call-to-end-apartheid-occupation-and-impunity-in-palestine-and-israel.

1. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, "Final Resolution on Palestine – For the Twentieth Extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers," March 7, 2025,

https://new.oic-oci.org/Lists/ConferenceDocuments/Attachments/2722/FINAL%20RESOLUTION%20ON%20PALESTINE-%20FOR%20THE%20TWENTIETH%20EXTRAORDINARY%20CFM.pdf.