The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum of the
World Council of Churches will hold its meetings in Bethlehem this weekend. In
conjunction, on Friday Palestinian Christians will launch a document entitled
“Moment of Truth” prepared by theologians and laypeople. The document clearly
articulates the local Palestinians’, the international community’s, and the
churches’ responsibilities to act in cooperation to end the unjust Israeli
occupation.
This Tuesday, European Union foreign
ministers met in Brussels to discuss a proposal to recognize Jerusalem as the
capital of a future Palestinian state and of Israel. We are thankful for the
EU’s recognition that the current situation in Jerusalem must change. We pray
that a lasting peace built on justice will come to this city.
On Saturday, Sabeel young adults will visit
the pediatric ward of Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mt. of Olives to spend
time with children from throughout Palestine who are fighting cancer and
undergoing dialysis. This holiday season, we offer special thanks for the
people and organizations that cross borders and deal with complex permit
restrictions in order to offer comfort and healing to the sick.
Last week, Muslim Jerusalemites held special
Friday prayers in Sheikh Jarrah to demonstrate their solidarity with the people
of Sheikh Jarrah who are being forced from their homes by Israeli courts, the
Jerusalem municipality, and Jewish settlers. Following prayers, Israeli peace
activists held a march in front of the settlements. We pray that momentum for
nonviolent resistance to the occupation will continue to grow, both in
Palestine and Israel and around the world.
This week we join with the World Council of
Churches in praying for: Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal
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