International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel, 3-9 June 2007

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

“END 40 YEARS OF ILLEGAL OCCUPATION. NEGOTIATE A JUST PEACE NOW”

International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel, 3-9 June 2007, is an advocacy initiative convened by the World Council of Churches during the 40th anniversary of the 1967 war. Churches and church-related organizations from Australia to Canada, Sweden to South Africa organized activities to give public witness to their hope for peace with justice. The goal of the week is to raise awareness in churches and civil society and to impress upon governments the need for new efforts to end the conflict and negotiate a settlement. The basic message is ‘End 40 Years of Illegal Occupation. Negotiate a Just Peace Now’.

“END 40 YEARS OF ILLEGAL OCCUPATION. NEGOTIATE A JUST PEACE NOW”

Events Summary: ICAPPI 2007 around the world

Jerusalem: Inspiring one worldwide ecumenical witness for peace

An Ecumenical Service in Jerusalem on Sunday, June 3, anchored the week of church action worldwide. At the service in St. Stephens Church, Catholic Archbishop Fuad Twal emphasized the church’s commitment to non-violence in the service of peace. A similar service was planned for Bethlehem later in the week due to travel restrictions for people there.
The Ecumenical Service from the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem reached churches of Asia, Africa, Europe and North and South America and was used there as well as in Geneva at the headquarters of the World Council of Churches and in Rome at a meeting of religious congregations in the Vatican. For many, to worship with this liturgy is to be together in spirit with those living under occupation.
A ‘Message’ from the Heads of Churches for the anniversary week was distributed to church groups in 100 countries and is available here. Contact: Jerusalem_Office_Executive (at) wcc-coe.org
Stickers and a 40-year logo by Palestinians church-related organizations were used locally and overseas. These are available on-line. Contact: rana (at) ywca-palestine.org.
The Network of Christian Organizations in Bethlehem organized a candlelight march at the nearby refugee camp of Aida.
Church member agencies of the Association of International Development Agencies issued a joint statement agreeing with the World Bank, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross that the occupation is a violation of international law and is at the heart of on-going conflict and increased poverty in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. http://www.lwfjerusalem.org/ (see News)
Among other church activities: Ecumenical Accompaniers joined partner organizations in various civil society events; a local church advocacy forum has formed in relation to the international Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum being launched by the WCC in June; a Sabeel conference in July will equip young people from Palestine and overseas for advocacy to end the occupation.

Australia: Parish and public activity shows new local and national commitment

The week facilitated a new level of inter-church dialogue and collaboration about the issue of peace in Palestine and Israel.
Action ideas, worship material and advocacy information available nationwide for parish and local use: http://icappi.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=1&Itemid=2
Considerable interest in the ecumenical service material from Jerusalem. At St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane a stone cross from St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem was to be laid during the June 3^rd service.
Canberra – a ‘Peace Walk’ took place. Church leaders meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may follow.
Sydney – an inter-faith prayer service and the planting of an olive tree with involvement of local Palestinian and Jewish communities.
Seven councils of churches and church-related organizations endorsed ICAPPI.

Canada: Hi-level delegations, national information, local events

Leadership of the United Church of Canada met with the Middle East department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 29, shared results of recent visit to the region and news of international church actions.
Worship and resource materials from Jerusalem available to more than 10,000 parishes from Kairos (http://www.kairoscanada.org/), an advocacy partnership of churches and related agencies.
Former Ecumenical Accompaniers from the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel at local events in their home areas.
The first Ecumenical Accompanier from the Presbyterian Church in Canada addresses its General Assembly. Other annual church conventions encouraged to observe the anniversary.
UCC delegation to Israel/Palestine and advocacy visits in follow-up near the week.

Pax Christi International: Multi-lateral church advocacy with focus on Europe

Pax Christi joint statement was sent to top European Union diplomats requesting a meeting; members also used it with national foreign ministries and parliaments, as well as with media and church leaders. Signatories include humanitarian and other agencies of the Catholic Church in Europe and Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem. Available in four languages. Contact: paul (at) paxchristi.net
100 member organizations around the world received the Ecumenical Service from Jerusalem, also in four languages.
Pax Christi sections in the UK, US, Germany and the Netherlands reported public actions (see below).
Pax member AEI in Bethlehem had a two-day event at checkpoints and the Wall.

European Union: Call to the rule of law

The association of WCC-related development agencies in Europe, Aprodev, issued a statement marking the 40 years of occupation and made it available to leading European Union officials. The group calls the EU and the Middle East Quartet to “send a clear signal to Palestinians and Israelis alike that the international community does have values and those values are laid down in the provisions of international humanitarian law and human rights”. Also see Pax Christi, above.

South Africa: Engaging government, students, motorists and the media

Events generated new opportunities for dialogue and engagement between Chrstian, Muslim and Jewish communities.
In Johannesburg, there was a candlelight vigil outside the Israeli Consulate. Passing motorists signalled support or opposition at the vigil’s ICAPPI banner, “End 40 Years of Illegal Occupation. Negotiate a Just Peace Now”. The event was organized by the South Africa Council of Churches and volunteers from EAPPI, a WCC-led monitoring programme in Palestine and Israel.
Parliamentary debate involving the Palestinian ambassador, and a meeting with church leaders in follow-up.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs was invited to give a talk during a lunch time service at the Cathedral in Cape Town with parliamentarians taking part.
South Africa Broadcasting Corporation was asked to do radio talk shows with Ecumenical Accompaniers in various languages.
Presentations by the EAPPI volunteers, academics, politicians and religious leaders in schools and universities in Cape Town and Durban.
The South African Council of Churches wrote a letter to member churches inviting them to observe the week with liturgies and prayer.
Press release issued in various local newspapers to carry the ICCAPI week’s message.
A studio distributed 500 free copies of a recent documentary about the occupation.

Netherlands: New debate in churches, greater public awareness, an eye on 2008

Keerpunt, a church-related group, organized an afternoon of workshops about the church and Israel/Palestine after 40 years of occupation. Topics included the need for a change in policies and investments related to occupation while respecting deep commitments to the Jewish people. http://www.werkgroepkeerpunt.nl/
Through the church agency Kerkinactie, publishing of the Jerusalem worship material and message on the website of the Protestant church or of Kerkinactie, and distribution to member churches through a monthly prayer letter.
The church aid agency ICCO worked with 20 other organizations on rallies, concerts and a Palestinian picnic in order to raise awareness of the issue in the Netherlands and bring the issue parlisament. Contact: Manon.Wolfkamp (at) icco.nl
ICCO and the 20 organizations will continue to cooperate for the coming year-2007 is 40 years of occupation and 2008 is 60 years since the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948–reflecting on attitudes toward the Middle East and especially the Israel/Palestine conflict.
Pax Christi Netherlands and the Catholic agency Cordaid issued a call to the Dutch government signed by 50 prominent persons and published it in different national newspapers. The English version was also sent to Middle Eastern embassies and some EU governments. http://www.ikvpaxchrisi.nl/

Philippines: Ecumenical services and a public solidarity forum

The service from the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem disseminated to local churches and parishes. National Council of Churches in the Philippines encouraged use of the liturgy, and similar action was requested for Catholic parishes and seminaries.
A public solidarity forum on Palestine-Israel and the occupation on June 13 coordinated by Peace for Life, other church-related organizations and the National Council of Churches. Contact: secretariat (at) peaceforlife.org

Lutheran World Federation: 140 member churches called to joint advocacy

The LWF issued a statement the 40th Anniversary as occasion to revive the vision of peace in the Holy Land. www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html
The LWF Council earlier called on member churches in 78 countries to join ecumenical coalitions such as ICAPPI to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the occupation and to advocate for peace with justice.

Sweden: A national collection, parish prayers and a bus tour

Sunday, June 3 – in parishes nationwide, a collection of offerings and prayers for peace in the Middle East. Information about the week, posters and prayers provided by Church of Sweden.
During the week, the Swedish church-related agency Diakonia launched a new website section on State Responsibility under International Law including an “Easy Guide to International Humanitarian Law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”: http://www.diakonia.se/sa/node.asp?node=1857
Diakonia’s annual spring campaign included a three-city bus tour hosted by local churches with seminars, concerts and services as well as information and advocacy material.
June 1-3 – several Swedish NGOs including Diakonia and SweFOR held a seminar on “Europe and the Middle East conflict”, focusing on the EU’s role and NGO influence.

Switzerland: Joining a peace caravan to the capital

Church members and former Ecumenical Accompaniers join a civil society caravan travelling from Geneva to Bern during the week, visiting churches and community groups along the route and then meeting politicians in the capital. Contact: dorisstucki (at) bluewin.ch
Geneva parishioners and WCC staff sent the caravan and the EAs off with a Picnic for Peace and a prayer from Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem ecumenical service was used in weekly worship at the WCC.
EPER (Swiss Protestant Aid) supports ICAPPI and is already preparing for the 60-year commemoration of the ‘Nakba’ in 2008.

Denmark: Settlers, the two-state solution and Denmark

As part of its on-going work DanChurchAid has a new report on the effects of settlements on a two-state solution and how Danish government and business policies contribute to settlements. They also have a new video about settlers and the occupation. Report in Danish on settlements: http://www.noedhjaelp.dk/

Germany: Information at Kirchentag; notice of 18,000 demolished homes

Information about the worldwide church action available at the mass “Kirchentag” event the same week.
In cooperation with the Israeli Committee against House Demolitions, the Pax Christi section in Germany placed an advertisement in the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper saying “40 years of occupation and 18,000 destroyed houses is enough”.

United States: Some “praying with our feet”, others rallying online or on-stage

Several WCC-related church organizations reported “We will be praying with our feet” by boosting participation in peace demonstrations and other events organized by a broad coalition of civil society groups. Some provided speakers. Sites included Chicago, New York, and Washington where a rally and Capital Hill visits took place June 10-11. At the DC event, some church groups carried signs and Pax Christi USA formed a church contingent as part of a march to the White House. Contact: sferguson20042005 (at) yahoo.ca
Various churches used the material from Jerusalem. Minnesota’s Twin Cities area had 11 church events–vigils, panels, cultural evenings and performances of the musical ‘West Bank Story’.
Churches for Middle East Peace shared the Jerusalem liturgy’s closing prayer and is urging its nationawide membership to call or write the White House as a 40th anniversary observance. www.cmep.org/Alerts/2007May30.htm
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America added a web page with information about ICAPPI and other initiatives related to peace. www.elca.org/peacenotwalls/takeaction/40year.html
A National Council of Churches women’s delegation just back from the Middle East established a blog after their visit. www.nccccusa.org/NCCdelegations.html
A new web site about morally responsible investment for churches and corporations is in preparation as are visits to corporations with links to the occupation.

UK: “Enough!” occupation and a ‘viability’ test for peace

The focus was on participation in the rally on June 9 organised by the Enough! Coalition, a broad initiative of major trade unions, many charities and Muslim, Jewish and church-related organizations. Speakers included former Episcopal Bishop of Jerusalem the Rt Rev Riah Abu El-Assal. Contact: floresca (at) quaker.org.uk
Church leaders’ message and worship material from Jerusalem also used, for example, http://www.paxchristi.org.uk/
Christian Aid set out a checklist of essential steps for viable solutions to the conflict:

www.christian-aid.org/news/media/pressrel/070604p.htm

YMCA/YWCA: 14,609 olive trees

YWCA and YMCA in Palestine invite people to sponsor 14,609 new olive trees, one for each day of the 40-year-long occupation. Olives planted near settlements or the Separation Barrier are a sign of hope for land at risk from confiscation. Contact: rana (at) ywca-palestine.org
Information about the week shared through the World YMCA.

Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism, Thailand

Call for solidarity visits to Palestine and action by key governments for a just peace. http://www.ecotonline.org/

World Council of Churches

International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel, 3-9 June 2007 is a joint advocacy initiative convened by the World Council of Churches. Contact: jcf (at) wcc-coe.org
Focusing church concern for 60 years with policies promoting peace with justice. (One-page summary at http://globalministries.org/administrator/en/events-sections/icappi-2007.html ; annotated version also available.)
Launching a new inter-church advocacy process, the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum, at an international conference in Amman, Jordan, during June 17-21, 2007.