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'Change in the air' for Mid-East Peace, says WCC

by James Hartfield, Christian Post
Posted: Thursday, June 11, 2009, 8:51 (BST)
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In Manila, the Philippines, Christian and Muslim groups came together on 5 June to pray and demonstrate peacefully at the Israeli embassy. They held a candlelight vigil for peace.

"It's time to assist settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to make their home in Israel," said WCC member churches and others who join the week.

People and parishes in the European Union can get help in engaging local retailers about settlement products and lobbying their governments by using an advocacy paper on settlement products that was issued especially for this "World Week for Peace".

"It's time to share Jerusalem as the capital of two nations and a city holy to three religions," said the churches.

A public seminar in Norway tackled the topic of "Promised Land" as part of the action week. The 5 June event featured a pastor and author whose understanding had changed after a visit to the conflict zone.

"It's time to learn from past wrongs," said the World Week message. "It's time for equal rights. It's time to stop discrimination, segregation and restrictions on movement," it added.

In Scotland, parliamentarians reported to church and civil society leaders on solidarity visits to people in Gaza – one of several events in the week of action there.

Two church groups in the UK visited a local Israeli-owned company that makes engines for drones used against Gaza, before praying at a local church.

The churches said: "It's time to be revolted by violence and for civilians on both sides to be safe."

Sunday 7 June was the focal point of "World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel". An ecumenical service in East Jerusalem and services in dozens of countries used a prayer from Jerusalem's church leaders. Many parishes worshipped with a special liturgy from Ireland that included testimonies from young Israelis and Palestinians.

Participants with access to the internet were invited to send prayers to Bethlehem for "World Week" and to use the prayers collected there in Spanish, German and Italian now and in the future.

Now in its fourth year, the action week is organised annually by Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches and related ministries including Pax Christi International.

Christians in some 40 countries, including Kenya, Canada, the UK, the US, and Australia took part in the week of peace.



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