Statement: LWF Council’s Call for Justice, Peace, Reconciliation, and Human Dignity in the Middle East
The Lutheran World Federation Council, meeting under the theme ‘Be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith’ – (Rom.1:12), issues the following statement:
Erklärung des LWB
Date 15 June 2026
FOUNEX, Switzerland
The Council expresses profound concern and anguish over the escalating violence in the Middle East. The Council laments the suffering inflicted upon people, the devastating loss of life, trauma, the intentional destruction of civilian infrastructure and of conditions necessary for people to thrive, with their dignity intact, with promising hope for the future.
The current war between the United States of America, Israel and Iran, following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February 2026, and the renewed attacks between Israel and Hezbollah have worsened the situation in the region, causing civilian death, displacement, widespread destruction, and violation of territorial sovereignty, which raises serious concerns under international law.
The Council grieves the human and humanitarian impacts of the violence in the Middle East. Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives, hundreds of thousands have been displaced, hungry, traumatized, and do not have adequate access to medical care or humanitarian assistance. Across the Middle East region millions still live in conditions of protracted displacement, insecurity, lack of services and fragile economic conditions which are essential for human survival. The Council reiterates the urgent need for sustained support to ensure that people returning to their communities do so voluntarily, and in a safe and dignified manner.
The Council calls for:
- A lasting ceasefire between the United States of America, Israel and Iran, followed by immediate peace negotiations between the warring parties.
- Renewed and concerted international efforts towards dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful ways of resolving the crisis in the Middle East and advancing just and lasting peace rooted in human rights and dignity for all.
- Humanitarian assistance and protection for the affected communities
- The upholding of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, including the Freedom of Religion or Belief, by all.
