June 2, 2010
Written by Gregg Brekke

As the World Council of Churches commemorates its World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, the co-executive of Global Ministries, the joint world mission organization of the UCC and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), have asked that their member churches join in prayer for peace in the region.

Coming on the heels of an Israeli raid on an aid flotilla headed for Gaza in which 12 Turkish activists were killed and more than 10,000 tons of food and medicine seized, the Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte, executive minister of the UCC's Wider Church Ministries, and the Rev. David Vargas, president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Division of Overseas Ministries, said they "join those the world over who have responded in indignation" to the raid and made continued calls for lifting the embargo on Gaza and the inclusion of Gaza in a two-state Israeli/Palestinian resolution.

Calling Gaza a "virtual prison" due to the air, land and sea embargo imposed by the Israeli government, the letter expresses compassion for the humanitarian crisis that has resulted.

Quoting a prayer from the heads of Jerusalem's Christian churches, the letter offers solidarity for the words, "In the land you made holy, free us all from the sin of indifference, contempt and violence which only brings hatred and killing. Free the souls and hearts of Israelis and Palestinians."

United Church of Christ News Service