WCC news: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land calls for release of Natalie Abudayyeh

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, with other churches and individuals across the world, are calling for the release of Natalie Abudayyeh, a 21-year-old university student who has now been held in Israeli prison for nearly two months.  Photo: ELCJHL 24 July 2026 “Though we thank each of you who have advocated for Natalie over the last several weeks, we are both devastated and outraged to share that our voices, and the voices of all others who have called for her release, have not been heard,” reads a statement by Bishop Dr Imad Haddad, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. “Today Natalie had an appearance in Israeli military court,” he explained. During this hearing, the judge ordered that she remain in prison until 23 September, when she will make another court appearance.  “Israeli authorities have denied all the family's requests to have Natalie released on bail for the duration of the proceedings and have refused to allow them to visit or contact Natalie in any way,” said Haddad. “They are exhausted, troubled, and losing hope that the church, local or global, will be able to help bring Natalie home.” For Natalie to spend another two months minimum in Israeli prison is incomprehensible, he added. “She is still being held at Damon Prison, where prisoners have reported terrible conditions and repeated human rights violations,” Haddad said. “We are incredibly grieved by this news and deeply worried about her safety.” Within this grief, he added, we hold fear and uncertainty for the future of all youth.  “I ask you to consider how it would feel to be Natalie's parent, sibling, pastor, or friend,” he said. “Our community is angry and hurting.” At the minimum, Haddad called for her family and a church representative to be able to visit her. “We ask that the family's request for Natalie to be released temporarily on bail be reconsidered,” he said. “We continue to pray without ceasing, and we ask you to continue to pray and advocate as well, both for Natalie and for all our youth” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland