The World Council of Churches (WCC) sent an open letter to the Gatestone Institute in response to the institute’s web articles criticizing the WCC’s “Seven Weeks for Water” campaign. The campaign focuses on critical water issues affecting the people of Palestine, particularly in the occupied territories.
The WCC’s Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) has invited its member churches and supporters to reflect on water — whether it is taken for granted or in short supply — during Lent. For 2016, the EWN is focusing its Seven Weeks for Water on the Middle East, with specific reference to Palestine.
In its letter, the WCC invites representatives of the Gatestone Institute to meet in Geneva or New York City to discuss the details of Seven Weeks for Water and WCC’s other work.
“As God stands by the oppressed and marginalized, the WCC seeks with its member churches to stand by such people, wherever they are, or whatever their faith tradition might be,” the letter states.