World Council of Churches Week of Advocacy and Action

Posted Monday 02 June 2008

The Worldwide Council of Churches has issued an invitation to all to ‘bear witness’ to the people of Palestine and Israel during a week of action and advocacy at the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Palestine will host an event launching the week on Wednesday 3 June, from 5.30 to 6.30pm at Committee Room 1 of the Scottish Parliament.

If you wish to attend please RSVP (tel 01506 853110), member of the Church and Society Network of Action of Churches Together in Scotland, or , Secretary to the Cross Party Group on Palestine.

The Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, said: “Just as 2008 marks 60 years of aspirations dedicated to securing a homeland for Israelis, 2008 also marks 60 years of the disintegration of Palestinian society and dispersal of some 750,000 Palestinians as refugees. To date, the situation in the Palestinian Territories reflects the absence of peace and a continuation of occupation and conflict. While Israelis celebrate the 60th anniversary of their state, Palestinians are marking six decades of displacement and dispossession.

“May this anniversary year cause us all to recommit to the goal both Israelis and Palestinians share that neither can attain without the other, namely, a just peace.

“To that end, from 4 to 10 June 2008, World Council of Churches member churches and related organizations on five continents are organizing a collective public witness for peace. From Australia to Canada, Norway to Sri Lanka to South Africa, churches will observe this anniversary year with a week of awareness-raising and advocacy called International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel. It is time, we believe, for both nations to share a just peace.”