Christian World Service encourages churches and individuals to join the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, to be observed 15 – 22 September.

The World Council of Churches is sharing resources on the theme “Faith, Hope and Love in Action: Towards Justice in Israel and Palestine”.

Executive director of CWS partner the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees Dr Bernard Sabella writes to churches in Aotearoa:

“In December 2009, a group of distinguished Palestinian Church leaders and lay persons released Wakfat Haq or Kairos Palestine. It came at a time when people were losing hope that a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis was possible. It insisted on “Hope in the absence of all hope.” All human beings are created in the image of God and their eventual reconciliation with each other should be based on this reality. The sin is the continued Occupation, and we should reach out to the occupiers to make them desist from their harmful acts associated with this sinful occupation. The Document sends a word of thanks to the Churches of the world for their solidarity reflected in words, deeds and presence among us in this land.

“The situation on the ground nowadays is not any better than it was in 2009. The Occupation has become entrenched. The illegal settlements across the West Bank have multiplied and some of the settlers opt to use violence against their Palestinian neighbours who are mostly farmers and village dwellers. More than ever, we are all in need of hope and for people to see the image of God in each other. Isaiah speaks of eventual peace among nations emanating from the Lord’s house. We subscribe to this vision “they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Is.2:2-5)

“In the latest martial confrontation and attack on the Gaza Strip and the violent break-in at St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Ramallah, we are all reminded that hope is needed now more than ever. Wakfat Haq, concludes, “We believe that God’s goodness will finally triumph over the evil of hate and of death that still persist in our land. We will see here “a new land” and “a new human being,” capable of rising up in the spirit to love each one of his/her brothers and sisters.”

Last month air attacks on Gaza killed 44 people and injured a further 360. The strikes destroyed buildings, hit refugee camps hit and traumatised residents after rockets were fired from Gaza.

At 3.00am on 18 August, Israeli Forces broke into St Andrew’s Anglican Church on the West Bank. Families living in the complex which includes the Arab Episcopal Medical Centre, reported hearing gunshots, grenades and the smashing of doors. Israeli forces said they were raiding Al Haq, a prominent human rights group that rents premises from the church. The Jerusalem Diocese supports the parish in demanding an impartial investigation.

“We encourage churches to pray for all those living in the Holy Land. These are people who long for justice and to live in peace,” says Murray Overton, National Director.