Representatives of warring groups in Israel, Lebanon and Palestine should meet in South Africa to negotiate an end to hostilities between them, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) said on Monday.
Spokesperson Jo Mdhlela said the council is calling on the South African government to help broker peace in the escalating Middle East crisis.
The process could be modelled on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and could be supervised by a credible international committee such as the United Nations, he said in a statement.
”Such a peace initiative could address all affected areas in the Middle East, as a result of Israel’s recent bombing raids into Lebanon, which have killed scores of innocent people and devastated neighbourhoods,” said Mdhlela.
The SACC believed South Africa’s TRC experience could be adapted and used to bring about reconciliation in the Middle East, and that South Africa should take a proactive role.
”It is our view … there will be no winners in this conflict unless there is a negotiated settlement accompanied by a process of reconciliation. We are calling the South African government to work vigorously with other governments and international institutions for the realisation of a lasting and just peace in the Middle East.”
Mdhlela said the SACC had not yet approached the government with this suggestion, but would do so soon. — Sapa