More local events have been announced for the Israeli-Palestinian ‘Invest in Peace’ initiative organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).
Invest in Peace invites Christian and Jewish communities in Britain to come together in support of Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding projects. The events provide the opportunity to hear from two bereaved parents, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians – Robi Damelin and Bassam Aramin, members of the Parents Circle – Families Forum.
Board of Deputies Vice-President Marie Van der Zyl said: “While geopolitics shouldn’t define the relationship between Britain’s different religious groups, we often find faith communities at loggerheads on the Middle East and taking stances which cause division between us. Invest in Peace presents an opportunity for Christian and Jewish communities to export peace rather than importing the conflict. A yearning for peace is integral to both our faith traditions, and so we are delighted to be leading this with our partners in the churches.”
The Revd Peter Colwell, Deputy General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland said: “With so much violence, hatred and suspicion in the world, there is a critical need for different faith groups to come together. This is no less true than in relation to Israel-Palestine, where Jews and Christians often disagree, and cause each other pain in that disagreement. This approach aims to build bridges and create a sense of hope. The Parents Circle is a demonstration of the courage and bravery of people in the region whose pain and grief could easily lead them in a different direction. It is therefore a privilege for CTBI to be working in partnership with the Jewish community on this important initiative.”
You can read reports of the first events on the Jewish Chronicle and Christian Today websites.
Free tickets: peacemanchester.eventbrite.co.uk
Sunday 12th November, 7:00pm
Invest in Peace – Manchester poster (PDF)
Free tickets: investinpeaceleeds.eventbrite.co.uk
Tuesday 14th November, 7:00pm
Invest in Peace – Leeds poster (PDF)
Free tickets: peaceglasgow.eventbrite.co.uk
Thursday 16th November, 7:00pm
Invest in Peace – Glasgow poster (PDF)