the wcc and the palestinian-israeli conflict

WCC actions since the beginning of the Second Intifada (from September 2000)
WCC statements on Jerusalem and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict since 1948
Church responses to the violence
WCC and the Question of Jerusalem
Press releases and analysis
Humanitarian response: Action by Churches Together
Links		 The WCC has been deeply involved in efforts for peace in the Holy Land since 1948 when the state of Israel was created and the WCC formally established. Even before 1948, the WCC in-process-of-formation sought to help European Jews escape from Nazi-occupied territories in Europe and helped them emigrate to safe havens. It later assisted Palestinian refugees displaced as a result of Partition. The WCC has repeatedly called for a comprehensive peace agreement that would assure the rights, well-being and security of Israel and the Palestinian people.
 

It has encouraged dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims to promote tolerance and harmonious relationships. It has since 1948 recognized the legitimacy of the state of Israel and the right of Palestinians to a state of their own. It has related closely with its member churches and the Christian communities in Jerusalem.

From 1995 on, the WCC focused its attention on Jerusalem as a key to peace in the wider region, calling for it to be recognized by all as a shared city. With the breakdown of the Oslo peace process, the provocative visit of Ariel Sharon to the Esplanade in Jerusalem and the resulting second Palestinian uprising, the WCC has intensified its efforts for international advocacy on behalf of its member churches and Christians of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. More and more of the latter have been forced to emigrate as a result of Israeli occupation of their lands and discriminatory practices against Palestinians.

In February 2001, the WCC Central Committee called on the WCC general secretary and staff to:

  • continue their support of efforts towards a negotiated peace in the Middle East, based on international law, paying special attention to the future status of Jerusalem, the right of return of Palestinian refugees, the increasing number of settlements and measures to enforce all relevant UN resolutions, including those regarding the withdrawal of all occupied territories;
  • continue to analyze and to keep the member churches regularly informed on the evolving situation;
  • accompany the churches of the Holy Land and their members, and advocate their rights,
  • support local Israeli and Palestinian grassroots peace-building efforts; and
  • promote and/or cooperate with church, ecumenical and other initiatives, to strengthen broad international support for a comprehensive peace based on justice and security for all peoples of the region.

    Following up on these words, an ecumenical delegation visited the Holy Land in June 2001 on behalf of the WCC general secretary. Its mandate was to report back to and advise him on local ecumenical strategies and plans in the contemporary context, and to prepare for an international ecumenical consultation scheduled in August 2001. The latter brought together churches and ecumenical partners from the region and around the world actively engaged in advocacy work for peace in the Middle East. The consultation provided the churches with an occasion to share ideas and initiatives and begin to coordinate their efforts in support of a comprehensive peace, based on justice and security for all peoples of the region.

    As recommended by the delegation and the consultation and in close dialogue with member churches in Jerusalem, the WCC is currently focusing coordinated action and advocacy on an Ecumenical campaign to End the Illegal Occupation of Palestine: Support a Just Peace in the Middle East and on an Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel.

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    Bethlehem: a statue of Mary damaged by Israeli shells.




    Scene at a checkpoint separating Ramallah and its surrounding villages from Jerusalem.



    Palestinians are frequently stopped and ordered to kneel, undress or stand with their hands over their heads - a process that can last several hours.
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