Jerusalem is sacred to Christians, Muslims and Jews.

During high holidays like Easter, the holy month of Ramadan and Pessach, all of which overlap in 2022, this sacredness can be felt by locals and visitors alike. But the sacredness of the Holy City and its inhabitants is increasingly threatened by consequences of the ongoing occupation, such as discrimination and violence.

In December 2021, the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem issued a strong statement urging the international community to take up meaningful action to advocate for a Jerusalem without violence and intimidation, and for the preservation of the multi-faith identity of Jerusalem.

Through this year’s Easter Initiative, the World Council of Churches EAPPI seeks to connect the sacredness of Jerusalem with what is sacred to us as human beings: home, family, worship, identity, human dignity and life, and solidarity. The Easter Initiative takes a look at how the sacredness of Jerusalem and its inhabitants is threatened today, shedding light on human rights violations that occur in Jerusalem and that are detrimental to the character of Jerusalem as the City of Peace for people of different religious and national backgrounds. The programme also highlights the steadfastness of people living in the city and lift up initiatives that invite people to stand in solidarity with those suffering from violence, intimidation and the prolonged occupation.

Pray and act for the peace of Jerusalem: The sacred ground of Jerusalem should be protected for all people sharing the city, irrespective of religious or national identity. WCC’s calls on church leaders and elected representatives worldwide to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, to take meaningful action to stop forced displacement, violence and intimidation in Jerusalem, and to support work towards an end to the occupation and a just peace for all people in Palestine and Israel.

A variety of resources including Bible studies, news and reflections, can be found at: https://www.oikoumene.org/what-we-do/eappi/easter-initiative-2022

Mission and Ecumenical Board
[Acting] Director: Rev. Tony Franklin-Ross
mm-e@methodist.org.nz
www.methodist.org.nz/mahi/mme