Embrace part of Walk of Witness in Liverpool
As the Labour Party Conference began this week, almost 200 people, from churches and charities, came together for a Walk of Witness in Liverpool to renew calls for a just peace in the Middle East.
The event was part of the Time to Act campaign, organised by the Just Peace Coalition (of which Embrace is a founding member) - a growing, UK-wide ecumenical movement mobilising churches and supporters to amplify the voices of Palestinian Christians and pressure the UK Government for continued action towards a sustainable and just peace for all those who call the Holy Land home.
On Sunday, September 27, as the Labour Party Conference opened, the Walk of Witness began from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Among those taking part were Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool, and Bishop Tom Neylon, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, as well as the cathedral deans, the president of the Methodist Church, Revd Mark Slaney.
Embrace’s CEO Jamie Eyre, and Dr Ruth Valerio, Embrace’s Director of Programmes, Partnerships and Advocacy were there, along with other Embrace staff and Just Peace Coalition members including CAFOD, All We Can, Sabeel-Kairos and Christian Aid.
Following the walk, Bishop Ruth spoke to the gathering, on the Liverpool Cathedral steps, saying: “We have been reminded of the precious gift of hope. Hope for our communities and for our world. We ask that each of us here today might know of your love for one another and for all who live among us. May we cherish one another, speak the best for all and build a community where all can flourish and have a place.
“We especially pray for a renewal of hope for all those who all the Holy Land their home, we pray for peace and justice so that all who live there, of all faiths and none, might know they are safe, valued and have a future. We commit to living our lives in ways which reflect your grace, may we be people of faith and forgiveness, of peace and justice, of hope and joy.”
The walk finished at Liverpool Cathedral where there was a presentation from a panel, featuring Daoud Nassar (from Tent of Nations), Canon Yazid Said (Palestinian-born Israeli citizen and an Anglican priest), and representatives of the Just Peace Coalition.
The aim of the day was to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians living under occupation and hear from people like Daoud and Canon Yazid about their experiences.
Daoud explained how his family had started his farm 100 years ago and spent the past 35 years struggling in Israeli courts against confiscation of their land.
He continued: “Our approach is non-violent resistance. Even when they cut down trees, damage our water tanks and threaten us with guns, we refuse to be victims or to hate; we refuse to be enemies.
“We have to believe one day justice will prevail. We are suffering and we feel, as Palestinian Christians, we are becoming a minority - we feel forgotten.
“It’s very important for us that the Church ‘walks the talk’ in working for justice. It’s not enough for the Church to preach about justice from behind closed doors. It needs to look for the people in need and be the prophetic voice in the wilderness. The Church should not remain silent.
“It’s not about one side against the other – it’s about justice for people who are in need. When we see people in the UK joining the struggle and walking with us, we feel encouraged, and we invite anyone to visit the Tent of Nations to come and see what is happening.”
Embrace’s Dr Ruth Valerio, Just Peace Coalition spokesperson, said: “We believe there can be a just and lasting peace for all those who call the Holy Land home - but peace requires action as well as prayer.
“We welcome the recent sanctions on Israeli settlements; the ban on importing goods from illegal Israeli settlements is an important step in confronting the forcible displacement of Palestinians from their land.
“But more is needed. The Just Peace Coalition is mobilising churches and individuals to raise their voices in solidarity with all those living under occupation and affected by the violence in the Middle East and to act in more meaningful ways to support action for a just peace.
“This walk in Liverpool was about listening to the voices of Palestinian Christians and making sure those in positions of authority hear them too. We will be holding another event next month in London so do visit our Just Peace coalition website to find out more.”
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