Brian Hamilton

Blessed are the peacemakers

As Patriarchs and Heads of Local Christian Chgruches in Jerusalem we call upon our fellow Christians in this Land and across the world to join us in the International Chruch Action for Peace in Palestine & Israel particularly during the period June 3rd to 9th 2007.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Occupation by the Israelis of land previously held by the Palestinians. It is totally unacceptable for the situation to continue where the Palestinians endure daily hardships and humiliations with deprivations of International Human Rights, allegedly to ensure the safety and security of the Israelis, whereas we believe the security of Israel is dependent on the freedom and justice of the Palestinians.

Already we have declared our considered opinion for the future of Jerusalem… recognizing the rights of the three Faiths Jewish, Christian, and Moslem—and the needs of the two Peoples. Now we sincerely believe it is time to intensify action, particularly through negotiation, to end Occupation, establish an independent Palestinian State—consistent with UN Resolutions 242 & 338—and with borders clearly defined, thus giving both Peoples, Israelis and Palestinians alike, human dignity, security, and equal opportunities.

Many injustices have to be reversed, not least the restoration of land to lawful indigenous owners and the so-called Security Wall demolished.

For us as Christians, this Land is unique since God chose to reveal His love for human beings here when He gave His Son to be born in Bethlehem; to die on the Cross and on the third day to rise again here in Jerusalem. When Jesus revealed much of the Father’s will to us in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount he particularly declared: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matt 5:9).

—Signed by the heads of thirteen churches in Jerusalem: Roman Catholics, Eastern Rite Catholics, many Orthodox churches, and Protestants. International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2007.

3 June 2007 |
tags: Ecumenism, Holy Land 2007, Palestine-Israel