30 March 1999 Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem The languages were different but the message was the same: "Pray that peace and justice might reign in Jerusalem."

On Friday, 26 March 1999, CPT Hebron attended an evening ecumenical prayer service in Jerusalem at Saint Stephen's Dominican Church to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Organized by Sabeel -- Palestinian Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center (sabeel@planet.net; www.sabeel.org) -- the service was a blend of nationalities, languages, prayer and music from different Christian traditions, including Roman Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Coptic Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and others. Concluding a day of fasting, the religious leadership from the diverse traditions came together for the hour-and-a-half prayer service in a unified appeal calling for a shared Jerusalem.

After the service, the following statement was read and those attending were asked to share it with their communities:

A Message from Jerusalem

26 March 1999

We Palestinian Christians of the Holy Land dedicate this day, Friday, March 26, 1999, as a day of prayer and fasting for our city Jerusalem. Jerusalem today is an occupied (militarily) city. It came under Israeli sovereignty by a unilateral Israeli decision that violates international law and the consensus of the international community. It is maintained by the power of might rather than justice and right. We therefore declare - peacefully, nonviolently and with calm reasoning - that the present situation of Jerusalem can never lead to a secure and durable peace. We refuse to accept it and firmly believe that it is also unacceptable to God.

Israel's monopoly of control over the Holy City, to the exclusive benefit of Jews, increases tension between Israelis and Palestinians and exacerbates the violence. Israel continues to confiscate more Palestinian land and property for the building of Jewish colonies. It persists in demolishing Palestinian homes and in confiscating Palestinians' identity cards causing forced expulsion from the city. Israel continues to close Jerusalem to Palestinians, to deprive them of their livelihood and deny them access to the Holy City even for worship. All these measures, as well as the humiliating and inhumane treatment of Palestinians are in violation of religious, moral, and ethical principles, as well as international conventions.

We reaffirm that the city of Jerusalem is a city for two peoples - Palestinians and Israelis - and three religions, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism; and that its sovereignty must be shared. We, therefore, call upon the Israeli government to halt unilateral changes to the city's character and composition, and the violation of the rights of this indigenous people whether religious or political. We also call upon all peace-loving governments, institutions and individuals to continue working for an end to aggression and the establishment of justice.

As we commemorate the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and celebrate his glorious resurrection, we affirm, inspired by his great example, the victory of right over wrong, of justice over oppression, and of life over death. We live in the hope of a better future for all the people of our region. We pray to Almighty God to cause a miracle to happen, to bring about a change in our situation and grant our city and country a just and secure peace.