The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has called on the United States to end its financial aid to Israel, saying the monthslong military campaign in Gaza amounts to “mass genocide.”

In a statement, the AME council said Israel’s military has cornered Palestinians in Rafah and “denied them access to food, water, shelter and health care,” the New York Times wrote.

It continues: “After this torture, they plan to murder them. The United States of America will have likely paid for the weapons they use. This must not be allowed to happen.”    

Senior Bishop Adam J. Richardson Jr., one of the four bishops who signed the statement, said it represented the voices of bishops who are the chief officers of the AME Church. 

“What we are saying is enough is enough — we felt we needed to take it a step further because the money issue must be addressed,” said Bishop Richardson, who presides over 200 congregations in Texas.