PIEF

The PIEF is an international, inter-church advocacy initiative for peace in Israel and Palestine

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    World Week for Peace 2016 #DismantlingBarriers

    World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
    18 - 24 September 2016
    "God has broken down the dividing walls"
    An initiative of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches
    The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches invites member churches, faith-based communities, and civil society organizations around the world to join together for a week of advocacy and action in support of an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness.

    The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches invites member churches, faith-based communities, and civil society organizations around the world to join together in 2016 for a week of advocacy and action in support of an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness.

    The theme of the week in 2016, to be observed during 18-24 September, is: "God has broken down the dividing walls"

    In social media, please use the hashtag #DismantlingBarriers to talk about this year's World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel.

    How to get involved

    As participants in the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, from 18 to 24 September 2016, churches around the world shall send a clear signal to policy-makers, community groups, and their own parishes about the urgent need for a peace settlement that ends the illegal occupation and secures the legitimate rights and future of both peoples.

    Already, planning has begun for the World Week for Peace 2016, during which participants will organize and join in events and activities around the following three principles:

    1. Praying with churches living under occupation, using a special prayer from Jerusalem and other worship resources prepared for the week.
    2. Educating about actions that make for peace, and about facts on the ground that do not create peace, especially issues related to the wall. 
    3. Advocating with political leaders using ecumenical policies that promote peace with justice.

    Why?

    This annual observance of a week of prayer, education, and advocacy calls participants to work for an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine, so that Palestinians and Israelis can finally live in peace. It has been 68 years since the creation of the State of Israel. This has not led to the creation of an independent Palestinian state but has only deepened the tragedy of the Palestinian people. It is now 49 years since the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza overwhelmed the peaceful vision of one land, two peoples.

    Yet the dream of one nation cannot be fulfilled at the expense of another.

    The action week's message is that now:

    • It's time for Palestinians and Israelis to share a just peace.
    • It's time for freedom from occupation.
    • It's time for equal rights.
    • It's time for the healing of wounded souls.