“Jerusalem’s Old City: A Future in the Balance” – A WCC Fact Sheet
This fact sheet is a product of the work of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (WCC-EAPPI) under the EU-sponsored project entitled “Maintaining a Lively Palestinian and Bedouin Presence in EAST Jerusalem Through Protective Presence, Monitoring, Documenting, and Advocacy.”
Introduction: A Call to Conscience
Jerusalem’s Old City, a place of profound spiritual significance to Christians, Jews, and Muslims worldwide, is more than a historical treasure. It is a living city, home to a vibrant and resilient Palestinian community that has stewarded its heritage for centuries. In line with its mandate to seek peace and justice in Israel and Palestine and to advocate for vulnerable communities globally, the World Council of Churches (WCC) presents this fact sheet as an educational tool for church leaders, policymakers, and the international public. It shows the pressing challenges facing the Old City’s Palestinian residents, advocates for a sustainable and just future where its unique cultural and religious identity can thrive, and provides options that can be pursued from a developmental perspective.