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WCC marks 75th commemoration of “Al-Nakba”

During the 75th commemoration of what Palestinians refer to as the nakba, or “catastrophe”—when hundreds of thousands of people were uprooted during Israel's creation in 1948—World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed solidarity with member churches in the Holy Land.

16 May 2023
Interview
Cycling for Hope

Cycling for peace: Andreas has bicycled 847km - and “It’s becoming a trip full of gifts"

Andreas is currently in the midst of a “Cycling for peace” initiative in which he is bicycling from Linz, Austria, to Hamburg, Germany—a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers! Part of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, Andreas is also part of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, which is helping to support his trip.

As he continues on his way, he took time to share some reflections.

12 May 2023
Feature story
Collage of three images, showing Muslim, Jewish, and Christian people in Jerusalem.

“All groups should be allowed to come and worship”

This year at Easter, the WCC is highlighting current realities and challenges related to religious holidays in the Holy Land, joining with local communities in action and prayer; to ensure that freedom of worship is protected in a land so worthy of justice, peace, and dignity. The reflections and voices presented here are meant to welcome the reader into the details of everyday lives—lives met with challenges that often turn into obstacles impeding everything from simple family celebrations to livelihoods, to freedom of religion and movement. Together, these voices also raise the hope for a less divided and conflict-ridden Jerusalem, and a Holy Land in which people of all faiths enjoy an equal measure of freedom of movement and religion.

14 April 2023
News
WCC leadership meets with Global Kairos for Justice representatives

WCC meets with leaders from Global Kairos for Justice Coalition

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay received Rev. Dr Munther Isaac, moderator of the Global Kairos for Justice Coalition, and Mr Rifat Odeh Kassis, in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 12 April, to discuss the continued and escalating crisis in Palestine in the light of the ongoing occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel and the ever-increasing security measures restricting the freedom of Palestinian people.

13 April 2023
Feature story
Stone with crack pictured in front of woman placing her hands prayerfully on the stone.

“How is it that my family could be separated on Easter?”

This year at Easter, the WCC is highlighting current realities and challenges related to religious holidays in the Holy Land, joining with local communities in action and prayer; to ensure that freedom of worship is protected in a land so worthy of justice, peace, and dignity. The reflections and voices presented here are meant to welcome the reader into the details of everyday lives—lives met with challenges that often turn into obstacles impeding everything from simple family celebrations to livelihoods, to freedom of religion and movement. Together, these voices also raise the hope for a less divided and conflict-ridden Jerusalem, and a Holy Land in which people of all faiths enjoy an equal measure of freedom of movement and religion.

12 April 2023
Bible studies
Photo of woman dressed in priest's garb walking in procession.

Hope for Palestine

Rev. Sally Azar, of the Lutheran Church in the Holy Land, offered the reflection below on how Easter reminds us there is hope for Palestine.

11 April 2023
Bible studies
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Seven Weeks for Water 2023, week 7: "And we are still thirsty for water!", by Bishop Munib Younan

Originally published in 2016, the seventh reflection of the WCC's Ecumenical Water Network Lenten campaign 2023 "Seven Weeks for Water" is from The Rt Rev. Dr Munib Younan, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

Salaam and grace to you from Jerusalem, the Holy City. As an Arab Christian, I am thankful for the opportunity to write a reflection for this year’s “Seven Weeks for Water”. Of course, this part of the world always has been dealing with water issues because of its dry climate and few water resources. Today, however, the Palestinian people face an even greater water challenge. It is a crisis that grows worse year after year.

04 April 2023