Dear Esteemed Religious Leaders and Community of Southport

Dear Esteemed Religious Leaders and Community of Southport,

As we embarked on a new year filled with hope and the promise of renewal, we were encouraged by the news of a possible cessation of the onslaught in Palestine which has brought unimaginable suffering to countless lives, with daily reports of violence, displacement, and loss painting a harrowing picture of human despair. In this new year of 2025, we hoped to see a complete and lasting ceasefire, an end to genocidal acts, and the restoration of peace and dignity to the region. Sadly, this appears not to be the case with reports already emanating from the besieged people of Gaza and the West Bank that hostilities continue, regardless of the agreement just reached.

As our religious leaders you hold a unique and profound influence in shaping the moral compass of our communities. Your voices carry the weight of centuries of wisdom, compassion, and justice. We implore you to use this influence to publicly support our campaign for peace in Palestine. Together, we can inspire our town, our nation, and the global community to act with courage and humanity in the face of this devastating crisis.

The teachings of all major faiths are rooted in love, justice, or the sanctity of life therefore we are calling on you to join us standing against oppression and violence. Our campaign calls for affirming the fundamental rights of all people to live free from fear, persecution, and harm. By supporting this initiative, you can help amplify the universal call for an end to the bloodshed and for a return to dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation.

We urge you to publicly support these calls and demonstrate our shared commitment to peace and humanity by condemning both the loss of innocent lives and the well documented human rights violations currently happening in Palestine. We would also ask that you use your sermons, teachings, or platforms to promote peace, justice, and solidarity with the people of Palestine. Additionally, we invite you to join any of our public vigils held on Saturdays fortnightly, outside the Atkinson where we bring together people from all walks of life to pray, reflect, and advocate for an end to the suffering in Palestine. We hope that our visible display of unity will send a powerful message of hope and solidarity to those enduring unimaginable hardship. The details and dates of all our events are publicised via our website

www.southportfriendsofpalestine.co.uk

Your public support would not only galvanize local and national efforts but also remind the global community that moral leadership and compassion remain unwavering forces for good. By coming together as a community of faith, we can provide a beacon of hope in a time of darkness and despair.

We deeply respect and value your role as spiritual leaders and your dedication to fostering harmony and understanding. We hope you will join us in this vital campaign to advocate for peace, justice, and the protection of innocent lives in Palestine.

Thank you for considering this urgent request. We would welcome any opportunity to meet and discuss our aims and activities look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you in the coming weeks as we work towards a brighter and more peaceful future for all. Please feel free to contact us via our website or the address below.

With our deepest respect and hope for 2025,

Southport Friends of Palestine

southportfriendsofpalestine@gmail.com