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View of the Old City of Jerusalem from the spire of the Church of The Redeemer. Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC

View of the Old City of Jerusalem from the spire of the Church of The Redeemer. Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC

From a photo “exhibition of hope,” to worship resources, to an opportunity for people and churches to share their personal expressions of hope, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is offering an invitation and accompanying resources to celebrate the World Week of Peace in Palestine and Israel on 17-24 September.

In a letter of invitation, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit reminded people that, despite 50 years of occupation and despair, hope prevails for a just peace in Palestine and Israel.

“The World Week of Peace is yet another opportunity to remind the world about the unsolved conflict in Palestine and Israel and to show solidarity with peace-seeking people suffering under occupation,” wrote Tveit.

On Monday, 18 September, a “12 faces of hope” exhibition will open at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, featuring 12 Palestinians and Israelis who all are victims of the occupation.

The week will hold other many expressions of peace as people across the world unite in actions to create a common international public witness for just peace in Palestine and Israel.

The week is arriving on the heels of other landmark stepping stones on a pilgrimage of just and peace for the Middle East, including joint prayers for justice and peace in the Holy Land, held in Jerusalem on 5 June, and WCC Peace Consultations with global church leaders, which took place in Beit Sahour two weeks later.

During the World Week of Peace, on Thursday, 21 September, the International Day of Prayer for Peace will be observed.

Exhibition of hope for the Holy Land opens in Geneva (WCC news release 13 September 2017)

Resources for the World Week of Peace in Palestine and Israel

More on the campaign: "Seek #JusticeAndPeace in the Holy Land”