International Appeal for a Christmastime Peace in Ukraine
Posted: 19th December 2022
Christmas truce in Ukraine (U.S. FOR + IPB appeals)
Dear Peace Group supporters,
First of all, we look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow night at 8pm in the Northcourt Centre for a festive glass of something, a nibble, perhaps an”alternative carol” for Palestine and a reading or two. Bring yourself, and if you feel like it, a nibble and/or a bottle. Mulled wine will be provided!
Secondly, please sign this appeal for peace in Ukraine! International Appeal for a Christmastime Peace in Ukraine https://www.christmasappeal.ipb.org/ (More details in the email below mine).
I have signed on your behalf as a group, but they want individual signatures too. As you know, we have held a vigil at our war memorial every Monday morning since the hostilities began back in March, and every week we ask ourselves what else we can do to bring the whole sad saga to a speedy end? Signing a petition may not feel like much but it is an action!
On the same lines, if you use Facebook you might like to join the group “A Social Audit of Militarism” – https://www.facebook.com/groups/315950958769120/
If you don’t, go to ppu.org.uk and sign their latest petition: Fund Heating not Bombing! https://www.change.org/p/fund-heating-not-bombing-slash-military-spending-to-tackle-the-cost-of-living-crisis
See you tomorrow night, and if not, have a wonderful and peaceful festive season!
Sally
Secretary, Abingdon Peace Group
01235 526265 or 07786 055195
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—-—- Forwarded message —-—
From: <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2022 at 01:59
Subject: [networkingforpeace] Christmas truce in Ukraine (U.S. FOR + IPB appeals)
To: Network for Peace <[email protected]>
International Appeal for a Christmastime Peace in Ukraine
https://www.christmasappeal.ipb.org/
Let us call for a ceasefire in Ukraine for Christmas 2022/2023, from the 25 December to the 7 January, as a sign of our shared humanity, reconciliation, and peace.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 in the midst of World War I was a symbol of hope and courage, when the people of warring countries organized an armistice on their own authority and joined in spontaneous reconciliation and fraternization. This was proof that even during the most violent conflicts, in the words of Pope Benedict XV, “the guns may fall silent at least upon the night the angels sang”.
We turn to the leaders of the warring parties: let the weapons be silent. Give people a moment of peace and, through this moment, open the way to negotiations.
We call on the international community to strongly support and advocate for a Christmas ceasefire and to push for a new start to negotiations between the two sides.
Our vision and goal is a new peace architecture for Europe which includes security for all European countries on the basis of common security.
Peace, reconciliation, a shared sense of humanity can triumph over the hatred, violence and guilt that currently dominate the war. Let us be reminded that we are all humans and that war and destruction against one another is senseless.
A Christmas truce is a much needed opportunity to again recognize our compassion for one another. Together – we are convinced – the cycle of destruction, suffering and death can be overcome.