WCC shares resources for World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has published resources for people and churches all over the world to pray, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people in the Holy Land during the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, to be observed from 20-26 September.
The theme this year is “We must give account,” taken from Hebrews 4:13. The week aims to encourage people of faith to pray for, and work towards, an end to Israeli occupation and oppression, and allowing both Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace.
During the special week—which includes the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September—church organizations, congregations, and people of faith are encouraged to bear a common witness by participating in prayer services, educational events, and acts of support in favor of peace and justice for Palestinians and Israelis.
The resources include poetry, a liturgy, testimonies, stories, prayers, and reflections.
The World Council of Churches invites member churches, faith-based communities, and civil society organizations around the world to join for a week of prayer for just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness.
Yusef Daher, coordinator of the WCC Jerusalem Liaison Office, shared his hopes that the resources will now be shared and used by local and international partners.
“This magnificent ecumenical way of owning and participating of the week that makes it meaningful,” he said. “So many times this week is a summary of the year we experienced with the stories, the words, and prayers it contains.”
“In this World Week of Peace for Palestine and Israel, we are called to unite in prayer and action. At a time when Palestinians continue to endure the brutal realities of occupation and the devastating war on Gaza, our shared humanity is at stake. This week is not only a moment of solidarity but also a call to speak truth to power: to name injustices for what they are, to demand accountability and respect for international law, and ask world leaders to assume their responsibilities,” said Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for peace building in the Middle East.