"Israelis, who look for peace and security, we love you! Palestinians, who pursue freedom and dignity, we love you! We love you. Be able to love each other. May the language of violence be replaced by that of love". This is the wish expressed by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, during the solidarity action of the Churches for peace in Palestine and Israel, which took place in several countries across the world from March 12th to 19th. Last night, the Patriarch’s words were relayed by the World Church Council, which speaks of similar initiatives in London, New York, Cape Town and Holland. The WCC, in its release, tells the story of a group of 50 of its delegates in Israel and in the Territories, where they also met religious and political leaders. "The main impact was to see the serious problems Palestinians have to face every day", stated American-born Bob Tobin, while the Dutch delegates highlighted "urgency and concern for this situation. Defending the Palestinians’ rights they said is a prerequisite for achieving peace. But this must be achieved without impairing relations with Israel".
