Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs

PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

U.S. Bishops’ Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land

Citing the need for Christians, Jews, and Muslims to work together to promote a just peace in the Middle East, the Catholic bishops of the United States have announced the launch of the Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land. The campaign is part of a broader interreligious initiative to work for peace in the Middle East because, in the words of the bishops, "our faith demands it; our Church leaders call us to it; and our Church is well situated to build bridges."

See the following website for important information from the U.S. Catholic bishops and for links to other helpful organizations.

http://usccb.org/sdwp/international/holylandpeace.htm

Points for Peacemaking

Christian religious leaders have conferred frequently among themselves and with colleagues of other religions about ways to work together to encourage the cessation of violence, and to promote peace with justice between Israelis and Palestinians. One strategy on which leaders concur is to use these "talking points for peacemaking."

These “Points for Peacemaking,” which are intended to apply to any context of conflict, were prepared by the Massachusetts Council of Churches in collaboration with a number of advisors.

http://www.masscouncilofchurches.org/docs/Points%20for%20Peacemaking.htm

Walk the Road to Peace http://www.walktheroadtopeace.org
is a national multi-faith campaign organized to support more active and determined US leadership in the effort to find peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and to amplify the courageous voices of Arabs and Jews who are working together to build a different future.

Initiated by American Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders united to support peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, the "Walk" is an unprecedented inter-religious effort to rally religious leaders and their constituents to support the peace process and counter the forces of violence and fundamentalism.

See also the related National Interreligious Leadership Delegation
http://www.walktheroadtopeace.org./national_leadership.php

The Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel http://icci.org.il/
The Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI) is an umbrella organization of over 70 Jewish, Muslim and Christian institutions actively working towards interreligious and intercultural understanding in Israel and the region. Founded in January 1991, on the eve of the Gulf War, by 23 Jews, Muslims and Christians, the ICCI reaches thousands of people with programs that build confidence and trust, and shatter stereotypes, ignorance and prejudice.

The Parents Circle - Families Forum http://www.theparentscircle.com/
The Families Forum seeks to solve the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians through dialogue and mutual understanding, and calls on all parties to promote reconciliation as the only way to reach true co-existence and peace.

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