Global Ministries

Civil Society Organizations Statement regarding Gaza crisis by: Palestinian Civil Society

Representatives of civil society organizations and public committees, met in Ramallah on Saturday the 16th of June 2007, to affirm a statement about the Gaza crisis

 Read full statement

A call for prayer for the situation in Gaza -  6-14-07

The Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte, Executive Minister of UCC Wider Church Ministries and co-executive of Global Ministries, encourages all our UCC and Disciples churches to join the heads of churches in Jerusalem in prayer and advocacy this week for a cessation of violence and a peaceful resolution to the difficult situation in Gaza between Hamas and Fateh.  We have historic and strong relationships with many of the churches these church leaders represent. We deeply respect their voice and we know of their commitment to non-violent resolution to the terrible suffering and the problems in Gaza and the West Bank which are exacerbated by the lack of a negotiated peace with Israel.  We join these church leaders in Jerusalem in a call for an eventual two-state solution where both Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace and security without fear of violence.

PCHR: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights Press Release

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is convening an international conference called "Churches together for Peace with Justice in the Middle East" in Jordan, 17-21 June. The event will address prospects for peace in Israel and Palestine and launch a new church advocacy forum.

"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'.

Christian leaders in Jerusalem have issued an urgent call to warring Palestinian factions to stop fighting, and have warned that the conflict risks undermining the campaign to achieve an independent Palestinian state.

Marla Schrader - Israel/Palestine "But let justice roll like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream." Amos 5:24 I used to love this text from Amos. Growing up in water abundant North America, the imagery of water that did not cease to flow was meaningful to me.  I could visualize justice rolling down with might and authority, like Niagara Falls.

World Council of Churches

Week of church witness for peace includes Jerusalem prayers, a Washington rally, and 14,609 olive trees.

Praying with Jerusalem's Christians, marching to the White House or sponsoring one of 14,609 olive trees are among the activities taking place in "International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel" this week. The initiative is organized by member churches and related organizations of the World Council of Churches to mark 40 years of the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. It involves public activities and messages to governments in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

A message on the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of the 1967 War

June 5, 2007

For the last 40 years, the Palestinian people have lived under occupation.  For the past 40 years, the Israeli people have lived with an ongoing debate about what to do with the occupied territories.  Generations of Palestinians in the occupied territories have experienced checkpoints with soldiers, curfews, and restricted access; home demolitions for the sake of settlement and barrier construction; and a lack of legal status as citizens of any state, forced to obtain permits to visit family, to seek medical care, freely worship in particular churches or mosques, or tend their agricultural fields.  Generations of Israelis have experienced mandatory military service in the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights; insecurity resulting from unresolved conflict over the land; and unheeded local and international calls to end the fact and practices of occupation.  As the occupation enters its fifth decade, settlements continue to be expanded, the separation barrier continues to be built, and Israeli forces continue to exert control over the Palestinian people within the occupied territories.