World Council of Churches Calls for an End to Occupation and Apartheid in Palestine

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has released a statement calling for an end to what it describes as apartheid, occupation, and impunity in Palestine and Israel. The statement was adopted by the WCC Central Committee at its meeting in Johannesburg from June 18 to 24, 2025.

The WCC expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, stating that current conditions represent serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The statement drew a clear distinction between criticism of the Israeli government's actions and antisemitism, reaffirming the WCC’s opposition to all forms of racism, including antisemitism, anti-Arab racism, and Islamophobia.

The WCC accused the Israeli government of committing grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention in Gaza, actions it said may constitute genocide and other crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It also cited intensified violence, illegal settlement expansion, and systemic human rights violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as evidence of ongoing breaches of international legal norms, including UN resolutions and treaties.

The statement called for international recognition of what the WCC terms an apartheid system imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people. It urged governments, churches, and institutions to implement targeted sanctions, divestment measures, and arms embargoes in response to ongoing violations. The WCC also called for full support of investigations by the International Criminal Court and United Nations mechanisms.

The statement reaffirmed the WCC’s support for the rights of Palestinians to freedom, justice, return, and self-determination. It demanded an end to the Israeli occupation and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.

The WCC also voiced support for Palestinian Christian communities, stating their right to remain on their land and practice their faith must be protected.

The organization acknowledged the role of the South African government in seeking legal accountability through the International Court of Justice and encouraged all states to comply with ICJ rulings. The WCC called on churches globally to speak out and take action based on principles of justice and international law.

The WCC is a worldwide fellowship of Christian churches founded in 1948 to promote unity and cooperation among different Christian traditions. It currently brings together over 350 churches representing more than 580 million Christians across the globe. These member churches span a wide range of denominations including Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant, and some Pentecostal churches.