Includes church leaders’ statements, information about human rights violations in Jerusalem today, and a first-hand account of the recent demolition of Catholic property.
Some people ask if I am optimistic or pessimistic in the face of such a complicated
conflict and I always say that I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but hopeful. My
hope does not come from Washington DC, Berlin, London, or Paris – it comes from
the heart of Jerusalem and the empty tomb.
Bishop Dr. Munib Younan, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
Download resource.
Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem, of Israel, and of Palestine.
ACT Palestine Forum is a network of over 100 churches and para-church organisations (such as aid and development agencies). The have written a prayer specifically for this lenten season.
Are Christians persecuted in the Middle East?
T
he Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land respond thoughtfully and clearly. Read article and statement.
2014 World Week for Peace 21-27 Sept
"Let my people go" - focus on prisoners. Plan ahead to include something in your church calender.
News about Palestine & Israel
Israel violates Palestinian religious freedoms each Easter
A statement, signed by Palestinian Christian Organizations in Occupied East Jerusalem, complained that Christians are often denied access to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher during Easter. Checkpoints are erected "at the Gates and in the alley, thus preventing the worshipers from free access to the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the vicinity of the Christian Quarter." Both Christians and Muslims are often "unable to worship freely and to be with their families and friends" during religious holidays because of Israel's actions, the statement went on to note.
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Israel scraps the release of Palestine prisoners and call for review of talks
Israel scrapped the scheduled release of a group of Palestinian prisoners and called for the entire
US-sponsored negotiations to be "reviewed".
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Palestine seeks full membership of 15 UN bodies
After Israel stalled on the release of prisoners, P Palestine signed letters of accession to 15 multilateral treaties and conventions, a right obtained following its upgrade to Observer State status in the UN General Assembly in November 2012.
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Settlers storm Al-Aqsa compound
Jewish settlers on Wednesday assaulted a number of Palestinian worshipers after they stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Earlier around 300 settlers raided the al-Aqsa mosque following calls from Jewish rabbis to storm the mosque.
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Jewish extremists spray hate graffiti on convent
Suspected Jewish extremists sprayed anti-Christian graffiti on the walls of a convent west of Jerusalem overnight and damaged vehicles parked nearby. Slogans including "Mary is a cow," "price tag" and "America (is) Nazi Germany" were sprayed in Hebrew on the walls of the Roman Catholic sanctuary.
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Land grabs- Israel confiscates Nablus land for settlements
The Israeli government issued confiscation orders to Palestinian land owners in Nablus to seize over 300 dunams (74 acres) of land to expand nearby illegal settlements. The Israeli government issued the seizure orders to landowners in the Ras Mues and al-Khafafish areas near the village of Jalud.
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House demolitions continue unchecked
A UN official expressed deep concern about the ongoing displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem following a demolition of a two-story privately owned building, affecting a family of refugees as well as some Palestinian 15 children. The demolished building in At Tur included two apartments, a mosque and a medical centre.
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