A delegation of U.S. Catholic and Protestant church representatives traveled to the Holy Land in January and share what they encountered.
The following article was published in the March-April 2024 issue of NewsNotes.
In January, a delegation of Christian leaders organized by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) visited Israel and the West Bank, intensifying efforts to foster peace amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The delegation, comprised of representatives of CMEP member organizations, including Susan Gunn from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, met with a variety of voices—from church leaders and government officials to human rights activists in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. Their mission: to absorb firsthand accounts of the crisis, laying the groundwork for effective advocacy in Washington, DC, and at the United Nations in New York.
The trip underscored the profound shared trauma among Jewish Israelis, stemming from the atrocities of October 7, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 200 hostages into Gaza. The Israeli government’s response, driven by a mix of humiliation and a determination to safeguard its people, has since been marked by rhetoric that further entrenches divisions.
In Gaza, the situation has grown dire, with staggering civilian casualties, widespread displacement, and an acute humanitarian crisis, raising alarms of potential ethnic cleansing. The West Bank faces its own set of challenges, with thousands arrested and significant restrictions on movement, painting a picture of a population under siege.
The delegation’s encounters offered a wide view of the conflict’s complexities and the profound impact on communities caught in the crossfire. From the sanctity of Dominus Flevit Catholic Church, where prayers for ceasefire resonated against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s Old City, to the tales of survival at St. Porphyrius Church and Holy Family Church in Gaza, each meeting illuminated the urgent need for a path to peace.
The consensus among those who the delegation met was clear: for a durable peace, immediate actions—including a comprehensive ceasefire, release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners held without charge, and unimpeded humanitarian aid—are crucial. Yet, beyond these immediate steps, addressing the root causes of the conflict, notably the occupation and blockade, is imperative.
U.S. Christians can play a pivotal role in this endeavor, by learning the realities on the ground, elevating Palestinian Christian voices, and mobilizing support for peace initiatives. Through documentaries, prayers, and advocacy, each of us can contribute to a broader understanding and empathy that transcends borders. We offer the following resources:
Prayer
- Prayer for Peace in Israel-Palestine by Rose Berger, published by Sojourners. https://mogc.info/IP-SOJOprayer
- Join a 30 min. virtual prayer circle ‘Praying for Peace’ every Wednesday at 12:30pm ET hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace. https://cmep.org/events/
Study
- Watch a 30 min. News Briefs every Thursday at 10:00am ET by Churches for Middle East Peace: https://cmep.org/events/
- Watch the one-hour “Trip Report: The Way Forward for Middle East Peace” by Susan Gunn from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns and Russ Testa from the Franciscan Friars about the Churches for Middle East Peace delegation to the Holy Land in January: https://mogc.info/CMEPtripreport
- Watch a Webinar on the Middle East Conflict hosted by Thomas Gould of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns with special guest Lauren Draper of Churches for Middle East Peace: https://mogc.info/CMEPwebinar
- One-pager of asks for U.S. Congress and White House by Churches for Middle East Peace: https://mogc.info/CMEP-onepager
- Five-page Fact Sheet “Snapshot of Deprivation of Humanitarian Aid in the Gaza Strip” by international development agencies operating in Gaza in Feb. 2024: https://mogc.info/GazaDeprivation
- Reflection by Marie Dennis “The violence and grief are overwhelming” about the Israel-Hamas war and a nonviolent process toward peace: https://mogc.info/NCR-Gaza
- New book by Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, “Decolonizing Palestine: The Land, The People, The Bible” published by Orbis Books 2023: https://mogc.info/DecolonizePalestine
Action
- Send a message to President Biden and Congress to ask them to call for a ceasefire. Follow-up with a phone call using the instructions found at the bottom of the webpage: https://mogc.info/ceasefirenow
- Join the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage by committing to walk 25 miles – the length of Gaza – during the Season of Lent. https://www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com/
Photo of the delegation in Jerusalem, courtesy of Churches for Middle East Peace press release.