WCC NEWS: New resources available for World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2026

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has released a liturgy, reflection, and prayers for the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 2026, which runs from 20-26 September. With a focus on protecting children, the theme this year is from Psalms 127:3, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord.” 23 November 2022, Bethlehem, Palestine: A young boy enters checkpoint 300 in Bethlehem. The checkpoint, which separates Bethlehem and the West Bank from the city of Jerusalem, sees thousands of Palestinians pass through daily, many of them for work in the city of Jerusalem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 17 September 2026 The resources are adaptable to diverse church contexts.  The special week in September includes the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September. The WCC is encouraging church organizations, congregations, and people of faith to bear a common witness by participating in prayer services, educational events, and acts of support for children lost in the war, left without parents, traumatised, and afraid. The World Council of Churches invites member churches, faith-based communities, and civil society organizations around the world to join for a week of prayer for just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness. Concept Note: World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 2026 Liturgy – Ecumenical Service: World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2026 (English) Liturgy – Ecumenical Service: World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2026 (Arabic) Reflection and Prayer: World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2026 (English) 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