Search results

Concept note for the 2021 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel

World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, in a letter to heads of churches in Jerusalem, reached out with prayers and solidarity in the wake of wildfires near the city of Jerusalem and throughout the region.

The World Council of Churches is following developments in Israel and Palestine with mounting alarm and profound grief at the rising toll of people killed and injured in the escalating violence. We appeal urgently to all parties to step back from the brink of even more deadly and destructive conflict.

إن ضم الأراضي بفرض الأمر الواقع هو حقيقة اليوم في المكان الذي مشى فيه يسوع منذ 2000 عاماً. ونحن نريد، من خلال مبادرة عيد الفصح هذه، أن نسلط الضوء على الوضع في الأرض المقدسة – وعلى الرغم من أن خطر الضم الرسمي للأرض الفلسطينية المحتلة في الضفة الغربية ربما قد تراجع مؤقتاً، إلا أن الاحتلال يواصل التأثير سلباً وبشدة على حياة الشعب الفلسطيني وسبل عيشهم وحقوق الإنسان الخاصة بهم.

De-facto annexation is a reality today where Jesus walked 2000 years ago. With this Easter initiative we want to highlight the situation in the Holy Land – though the threat of formal annexation of occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank may have temporarily receded, occupation continues to profoundly and negatively impact the lives, livelihoods, and human rights of the Palestinian people.

O God of Sarah and Abraham, our tears are mixed with yours, weeping for the cities in the world...

With the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the churches and people of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Master of Justice, Prince of Peace, bless us with your peace...

With the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the churches and people of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Eternal God, Creator of the universe, great and wonderful are your works...

With the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the churches and people of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Merciful Lord God, you are peace, concord, purity and goodness...

With the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the churches and people of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Lord, we praise you!

With the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the churches and people of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.

“Let us pray together for a lasting peace built on justice and dignity for all,” writes Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, interim general secretary of the World Council of Churches, in this letter to the WCC member churches.

Under the theme “Creative Solidarity in Common Fragility,” people of faith all over the world are encouraged to demonstrate the power of prayer during the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. This special week of prayer coupled with action is held annually and includes the International Day of Peace on 21 September.

Ecumenical Statement on the Planned Annexation of Occupied
Palestinian Territory

The WCC strenuously rejects any allegations of illegality in relation to its activities in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories. There is nothing illegal nor anything secret about the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) or other WCC activities in the region. Such activities are conducted in full public transparency.

WCC general secretary calls Trump-Netanyahu plan for Palestine and Israel an ultimatum, not a path to peace.

"The One Human Family ", report of the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit to the WCC Executive Committee meeting Bossey, Switzerland, 20-26 November 2019

Reflection by Nora Carmi for WCC morning prayers - World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2019

The Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches expressed its grave concern about the high rate of evictions and demolitions in East-Jerusalem.

Each year during the week that includes the International Day of Peace (21 September), churches, related organizations, congregations, and people of faith are encouraged to participate in worship services, educational events, and acts of support for a just and sustainable peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.

The World Council of Churches is faithfully and fully committed to the promotion of a just peace in Israel and Palestine, for both peoples of the region. That commitment is part of the fabric of our faith, and of the heritage of the ecumenical movement. We seek to express it by accompanying the churches, inter-faith partners and communities of these lands in their witness and work for justice and for peace.