News
Profiles of peacemakers and cries for justice for all the peoples in Israel and Palestine are featured in a World Council of Churches (WCC) campaign, Seek #JusticeAndPeace in the Holy Land, launched online today.
The launch coincides with the start of an international consultation being held in Bethlehem. It marks ten years since a WCC international peace conference held in Amman, Jordan on “Churches together for peace and justice in the Middle East” as well as 50 years since Israel began its occupation of the West Bank and other territories and 100 years since the Balfour Declaration.
Twelve stories of women and men from different backgrounds share their hopes for justice and peace in the region despite stalled negotiations and the suffering caused by the occupation. The reflections, from Israelis and Palestinians from three religions, provide inspiring examples of courage, conviction and faith that “in the end, love and peace will prevail.”
Accompanying the 12 profiles are “50 moments for justice and peace” which trace global Christian solidarity with the peoples of the Holy Land from 1967 to the present. The 50 moments will be released regularly to trace a “pilgrimage” from the peace consultation in Bethlehem to the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, which will take place in the third week of September.
“The best way to mark the tragedy of the 50 years of occupation is to listen carefully to those who live under occupation and who experience the grave consequences for their daily life,” states Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, WCC general secretary. “These 12 voices of hope speak of love and dreams of life together with others in peace. This is the power that can move hearts and change history. Let us listen carefully to them. Let us be moved by their hope.”
Campaign "Seek #JusticeAndPeace in the Holy Land"
Message by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit to the Bethlehem International Peace Consultation, 20 June 2017
