A new, “global action” in favour of the Holy Land and meant to ask for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is the objective of the World Church Council (WCC), through the initiative “International church action for peace in Palestine and Israel”, which will take place in Jerusalem from March 12th to 19th. It was announced by Vox, the newsletter of the Christian organizations also including the Caritas of Jerusalem: “The situation it is said goes on deteriorating. Although the withdrawal from Gaza is a positive step forward, one must not forget that the number of colonists in the West Bank is higher than the number of the evacuees from the Gaza strip. Moreover, they are going on building the barrier and destroying Palestinian houses. Now, it is time for action. Our purpose is to communicate our message to politicians: the Churches of the world are following the events that are happening in the Holy Land, and they are going ahead with their peace actions”. Until now, nine countries have joined the action, together with the Pax Christi international network. The programme of the week includes meetings with the patriarchs and the bishops of the Jerusalem Churches, one day dedicated to olive-tree planting, a march near the Israeli barrier, prayers and visits to the Holy Places.Yesterday, at the end of a pastoral visit to the Holy Land and Jordan, lasting six days, the European and North American Catholic bishops spread a message, making an appeal for peace and for upholding the ecclesiastical communities in the Region.
