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Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – In solidarity with Palestinian Christians, the leaders of the different Churches in Australia have asked the wider Australian community to consider a boycott of goods produced by Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The National Council of Churches Australia (NCCA) recently held its 7th Triennial Forum, during which it launched an appeal for the end of Israeli occupation of Palestine and condemned all acts of terrorism. Rev Tara Curlewis, General Secretary of the NCCA said “We are asking the member Churches of the NCCA to consider boycotting particular goods produced in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It is hoped that such actions will liberate the people from an experience of injustice to one where a just and definitive peace may be reached.”. In a motion moved by the Uniting Church and seconded by the Anglican Church, Israel and Palestine’s right to exist within secure internationally recognised borders was affirmed. The motion noted that there must be an early end to the occupation of Palestine through freely and peacefully negotiated solutions in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions. The NCCA’s aid agency, Act for Peace, will continue to encourage churches around Australia to assist ongoing actions on the boycott and support advocacy initiatives calling for a just peace as all parties work toward an end to the conflict. (AP) (22/7/2010 Agenzia Fides)
