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Child prisoners remembered in World Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel


This Sunday, 21 September, marks the beginning of the World Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel and Pax Christi members and other Christians networks will mark the week with vigils, services and meetings on the plight of prisoners, and in particular child prisoners, in Palestine and Israel.

Each year 500-700 Palestinian children from the West Bank are prosecuted in Israeli military courts after being arrested, interrogated and detailed by the Israeli army or police.

In marking the week in the UK, the situation of young Israelis too will be remembered, those who choose to be conscientious objectors and refuse to serve in the Israeli Defence Force.

In his message for the week, Rev Dr Olav FykseTveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches ( of which the Week is a project) said: " It is often easier to look the other way when prisoners are mentioned. As Christians we must remember that Jesus identified himself with prisoners (Matt 25.36), that he proclaimed release to the prisoners (Lk 4.18), and that the earliest followers of Jesus often found themselves in prison (Acts 12.7). The plight of prisoners is a central concern for the global Body of Christ.

Again, my sisters and brothers, I appeal to you to promote participation in this year’s WWPPI. I pray that you will be strengthened in your solidarity and that practical steps will soon be taken for the establishment of a just peace in Palestine and Israel."

Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi said: "It is encouraging to see that so many people are making the time to organise events and so highlight this important issue within their church community. In addition to the various events we have circulated 15,000 prayer cards for the week.

Some of the events taking place:

- Prayers every evening, St Thomas the Apostle RC Church, Nunhead.

- Saturday 20 September 6pm: Special Mass at Holy Apostles, Pimlico at 6pm for Peace Sunday, to mark the UN International Day of Peace.

- Sunday 21 September 9am, for Peace Sunday, to mark the UN International Day of Peace.

- Sunday 21 September, special liturgy for Palestine & Israel during 10.30am Mass at St Michael’s RC Church, Horne Street, Liverpool.

- Sunday 21 September at 10am, St Albans, Flyer . 10am service at Trinity URC Church, 1 Beaconsfield Road, St Albans. Followed at 11am with a talk from Charlotte Marshall of Kairos Britain and from 12 noon informal discussion and refreshments.

- Sunday 21 September at 6pm, Salisbury: An ecumenical service led by Jan Sutch Pickard, a former ecumenical accompanier to Israel-Palestine. Theme I was in prison, Salisbury Methodist Church, St Edmund’s Church St, SP1 1EF.

-Tuesday 23 September at 7.30pm Newcastle: Ecumenical Service on the theme Let my people go: at St Mary’s RC Cathedral. Speakers: Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi and Mary Lucas of CAFOD.

- Wednesday 24 September at 7pm Nottingham. Human Rights and Peacemaking in Palestine with Ann Farr of Pax Christi and former EA. Cathedral Hall, St Barnabas RC Cathedral, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5 AE

- Thursday 25 September at 7 for 7.30pm, Salisbury: Public meeting on Palestinian child prisoners: how the Israeli military criminalises a generation. Speaker Bernard Regan, a trustee of Action4Palestinian Children. Palestinian goods on sale. Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EE

- Thursday 25 September at 8pm. Showing of Rough Justice, the film that examines the plight of Palestinian children arrested and imprisoned. St Michael’s Presbytery, Horne Street, Liverpool 6 5EH.

In the UK the week is supported by Amos Trust: Baptist Union of Great Britain: Christian Aid: Church of Scotland: Council of Lutheran Churches, Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel: Embrace ME: Friends of Sabeel UK: Methodist Church: Pax Christi UK: Quakers in Britain: United Reformed Church-Commitment for Life.

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