On Sunday morning, Israeli riot
police used stun grenades and batons to disperse unarmed protesters at the
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after a suspected extremist Jewish group tried to enter
the compound on the eve of Yom Kippur. We pray that religious sites be
respected and that religious tolerance be truly honoured by Jew, Muslim and
Christian in this land.
The recent meeting of the
American president, Barack Obama, with Israeli and Palestinian leaders
initially raised hopes about the prospect of peace. Unfortunately, the
situation continues to worsen as Israeli policies continue to restrict freedoms,
take land and force Palestinians out of Jerusalem. We pray that world leaders demand
for Israel to respect international law and hold Israeli leaders accountable
for human rights abuses.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem,
Fuad Twal, recently stated that due to Israel’s policies of "limiting
movement and ignoring housing needs, taxation burdens and infringing on
residency rights, Palestinian Christians do not know where to turn." In
light of this reality, and other concerns in the region, Sabeel speakers are
traveling and speaking in many different conferences and meetings this autumn
to highlight the experience of all Palestinians. We pray for those traveling
and pray that truth defeats distorted messages about the Palestinian situation.
We pray for Friends of Sabeel--UK
as they begin their search for a new coordinator to replace Jennifer Oldershaw
when she retires in 2010. May the committee be blessed with a multitude of good
candidates. We thank God for the many coordinators and volunteers around the
world who help spread Sabeel’s message of justice and peace. Their hard work
and dedication are vital to maintaining connections between people in
Palestine/Israel and the rest of the world.
This week we join with the World Council of
Churches in praying for: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
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