Wednesday, February 11, 2015

12/02/2015- English

The Israeli government has prepared for major expansions of 4 illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, totaling around 3,740 dunams.  This land was previously marked by Israel as “state lands,” and will now be transferred to these settlements, contrary to international law.  God of justice, we pray that all of these unjust land grabs will end so that your peace can begin in this land.  Lord in your mercy…

In protest of the jointly enforced Israeli-Egyptian blockade, dozens of students stranded in Gaza and unable to return to their universities abroad threw symbolic diplomas into the Mediterranean Sea this week.  God of mercy, we pray that unjust border closings will end so that Gaza’s young people can seek knowledge and be hopeful for better future for themselves, their families and their communities.  Lord in your mercy…

A national Palestinian committee representing all Palestinian factions announced this week a boycott of products of 6 major Israeli companies in the West Bank in response to Israel’s ongoing occupation and its punitive measures of withholding millions of dollars in tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority (PA). Lord, we pray that this boycott will bring international awareness to Israel’s violations of international law and punitive measures that affect all of the Palestinian people.  Lord in your mercy…

Lord, we lift our gratitude for our staff retreat in Jericho on Monday that allowed our Jerusalem and Nazareth staff to come together in prayer and plans for strategic actions for 2015.  We also pray for our meetings this Thursday and Friday: a youth meeting in Jerusalem with Rev. Ateek and a women’s meeting in Nazareth to begin documenting memories of the 1948 Nakba.  Lord in your mercy…

We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands Lord in your mercy…


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