INVITATION TO ACTION
World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, 4-10 June 2009
Joint actions for a just peace convened by the World Council of Churches
Gaza? It is hard to imagine a more abject demonstration of anti-peace policies than what has just happened in Gaza. Who can accept the use of sustained, disproportionate and often indiscriminate force among civilians trapped in one of the most densely populated places on earth? Who can accept endless assertions that the stronger party in a fight has all the rights and the weaker party bears all the blame? Who can accept that the fate of Israelis is to fear and fight their neighbors and that the fate of Palestinians is more and more occupation? And who can respond to this tragedy in the spirit of Matthew 5, as “children of God”?
You and your organization are receiving this invitation because you support or practice ecumenical advocacy for a just and sustainable peace in Palestine and Israel. For the fourth year WCC is convening a week in June dedicated to international church action for peace. The week began as a way to demonstrate to governments that churches worldwide are watching the occupation, deeply concerned at its consequences and acting together for peace. Sadly, that premise is more valid now than ever. The week is anchored in the Palestinian Christian community and built by participants around the world. You are earnestly invited to take part.
Each year the week has become stronger because more and more groups contribute their strength and commitment. Unique actions are linked by a common message and purpose. With each passing year, it becomes clearer that churches committed to Israel-Palestine peace must do more of their advocacy work together. The Amman Call attests to that imperative; the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum is enabling joint advocacy initiatives to grow. This newly renamed ‘World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, 4-10 June 2009’ is one example.
Please respond to this invitation in two ways:
World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 2009 is built on three types of action: PRAYER from the Churches in Jerusalem; EDUCATION and awareness-raising using the message ‘It’s Time for Palestine’ (with a focus on settlements and links to existing church resource materials); and ADVOCACY in political, economic, church and media contexts.
Some groups pray, educate and advocate. Others take action in one or two categories. All feel the call to act on the shared hope that justice will be done for people at the center of this conflict in Israel, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
Please join us.
‘What’ and ‘How’ questions? Beatrice.Merahi
wcc-coe.org
Other questions? Jonathan.Frerichs
wcc-coe.org
World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, 4-10 June 2009
Joint actions for a just peace convened by the World Council of Churches
Formerly, ‘International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel’.