An Ecumenical Delegation Meets with the Higher Presidential Committee of Churches in Palestine
Emphasizing the Importance of Solidarity and Cooperation Together Towards Peace and Justice
Within the framework of the virtual solidarity visit implemented by an ecumenical delegation to the Holy Land between 7 and 8 August 2024, an online meeting was held with the Higher Presidential Committee of Churches in Palestine, in the presence and participation of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the ACT Alliance organization, and the and Caritas Internationalis. The meeting focused on the current political situation in the region, the need for an end to the ongoing war and seemingly escalating conflict, so that the region may shift into building peace long-term.
It should be noted that the delegation participating in the visit includes His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC Moderator, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, WCC Secretary General, Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance Secretary General, and Mr. Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, Dr. Audeh Quawas, Member of the WCC Central Committee and Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Mr. Erik Lysén, ACT Alliance Moderator.
The meeting with the Higher Presidential Committee of Churches in Palestine was led by His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC Moderator, and Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, WCC Secretary General. Attendees from the Committee were His Excellency Ambassador Omar Awadallah and His Excellency Ambassador Amira Hanania, General Director of the Committee. They gave an overview of the current situation in the [region] from the Presidential Committee’s perspective.
Hence, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay noted the WCC’s long-term commitment to journey with the Palestinian people in their struggle for just peace. He took stock of the recent International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the Holy Land, the need for humanitarian access and aid to Gaza, support for detainees arrested without charges, and possible political solutions, and he specified the need for a roadmap to rebuild Gaza after the war.
He said, "as Christians, the moral obligation is always strong before us, as we are focused on justice in our witness in this world. Please know, that we will not be silent in the face of injustice, and we will persist in doing all we can to end wars and violence in this world."
As for Her Excellency Ambassador Amira Hanania, she indicated that, “We want to see respect of international law. Our concern is for all Palestinians and what they are suffering under this war. We feel it is very threatening to the existence of Palestinian people, but also to Christians in the Holy Land, including both those experiencing forced displacement in Gaza, and those pushed into poverty in Jerusalem and the West Bank. We do not want places like the Church of the Nativity or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to become museums.”
His Excellency Ambassador Omar Awadallah stressed “the importance of recognizing the International Court’s opinion, saying that attacking hospitals, schools, shelters or places where innocent civilians are sheltering in the current war must stop. All this needs a clear position coming out from the international community and those who have a moral stand, like the WCC.”
For his part, His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm said, “that the ultimate goal must be for Palestinians and [Israelis] to be able to live peacefully together in the region, in accordance with international law.” He expressed his “gratitude for all those working for justice and peace, even in the midst of immense suffering”, and shared his prayer “that doors will eventually be opened towards a just peace for all people in the Holy Land.”
In its turn, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) prays for all those affected and hurt by the war in the region and asks God to bring peace to the Middle East and the world.