LONDON - 29 May 2007 - 344 words
Faith
groups plan joint rally to mark 40 years of Israeli occupation
Pax Christi will join with other faith groups at a demonstration
in Trafalgar Square to mark the 40th anniversary of the Six Day
War and the start of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and
Gaza Strip, on Saturday 9 June.
Former Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, Riah Abul Asal, and Nobel Peace laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire, will be among those addressing the rally which begins at 2.30pm.
The event is organised by the Enough! Coalition, which was formed in the UK to advocate the end of the Israeli occupation. Pax Christi UK, the Quakers, the Scottish Episcopal Church's Justice Peace and Creation Network, and the Amos Trust have joined charities, trade unions, British Muslim and Jewish groups and MPs to commemorate the anniversary.
Church Leaders in Jerusalem, including Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, issued a message on Pentecost Sunday which says: "This year marks the 40th anniversary of occupation by the Israelis of land previously held by 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"
The Church leaders have also called upon
Christians and all people of goodwill to join in the International
Church Action for Peace in Palestine & Israel between 3rd
and 9th June. Pax Christi is urging its members and churches in
the UK to offer prayers for peace in Palestine & Israel at
this time.
Supporters of the Enough! coalition include Lord Hylton, Rev Kathy
Galloway, Leader of the Iona Community, Rev Garth Hewitt, director
of the Amos Trust, Professor Mary Grey and Mairead Corrigan Maguire,
Nobel Peace Laureate.
Full statement from the Church Leaders of Jerusalem and copy of the Ecumenical Service produced for the International Church Action for Peace in Palestine & Israel available from the Pax Christi website: http://www.paxchristi.org.uk/
Source: Pax Christi
© Independent Catholic
News 2007
Contact Independent
Catholic News
tel/fax: +44 (0)20 7267 3616 or email
Chaplain • Latest news • Archive • Listings • Pictures •