|TOP|The Church of Scotland Moderator is to write to the prime minister to encourage him to redouble his efforts in negotiating a ceasefire as the Middle East crisis enters its ninth day.

In a letter to the Kirk’s partner churches in the Middle East, the Rt Rev Alan McDonald, Moderator of the General Assembly, announced he would also be writing to Tony Blair urging him to “implement a serious strategy towards a permanent and peaceful solution to the Israel and Palestine conflict”.

In the letter, Rev McDonald assured the partner churches that they were in the thoughts and prayers of members of the Church of Scotland.

“I write to assure you of the prayers of the Church of Scotland at this time of deepening conflict in the Middle East,” he said. “We set a high value on our relationships with partner churches in the region and are appalled at the recent turn of events which has brought devastation and death to so many.”

|AD|At the recent General Assembly, the Church of Scotland called for adherence to all relevant UN resolutions and encouraged HAMAS to issue a statement accepting Israel’s right to exist.

It also encouraged Israel to cease attacks on Gaza and the West Bank and urged the two governments to enter into discussions that would see more secure boundaries and viable, sustainable states for both Israel and Palestine.

“It remains our position that peace will come only when there is justice for all parties. The ongoing cycle of violence will simply blight the lives of generations to come,” said the Kirk Moderator.

The convener of the Church and Society Council, Morag Mylne, also released a statement on behalf of the Kirk’s World Mission and Church and Society, calling for a halt to Israeli violence in Gaza.

“More recently, the escalation in attacks and the spread of fear cause us deep concern and anguish. The Kirk has a long history of engagement with the Israel/Palestine question and believes that negotiation, rather than violence, can be the only way to a resolution,” she said.

“If that process is to be a reality it is necessary for both sides to develop trust and draw back from a cycle of destructive behaviour in which they continue to be engaged.”

The Church of Scotland was also forced to close its hotel in Tiberias temporarily following a series of rocket attacks on the city on Saturday.