Palestinian children at Al-Zaytoon School, in the Jabaliya Refugee Camp in Gaza. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT-CWS

June 2, 2008

Throughout this week and next Church World Service is joining the World Council of Churches (WCC) in a special event calling for peace in the Middle East. It’s Time for Palestine: Week of Global Action, runs from June 4 – 10 and is an opportunity for the international church community to pray, educate, advocate, and participate in public action--all with an eye towards bringing peace in Palestine and Israel.

The action week’s message is “It’s Time for Palestine,” a message that calls for both sides to share a just peace and end 60 years of conflict. From South Africa to Sri Lanka to Sweden, faith-based groups are taking time to meditate on what the conflict has cost both sides and how to help bring about a resolution to so many years of conflict. The Heads of Churches in Jerusalem invite churches around the world to pray with them together during this time of reflection on Sunday, June 8 (download a PDF of the Jerusalem prayer).

The WCC has created multiple resources to help people of faith meditate on and be moved to action – tools to teach more about the complex issues involved, first-hand accounts of the situation, tools to advocate for peace. Church groups from 17 countries will participate in this joined international witness, standing in solidarity with the civilians on both sides of the conflict.

Please join Church World Service as we pray and speak out on this important issue of peace and justice.

Speak Out: Urge President Bush to do more for Israeli-Palestinian peace