Out of the darkness – Easter solidarity with the Holy Land

The Easter Initiative is an annual activity of the WCC-EAPPI, setting out to connect the stories of Easter with current realities in Palestine and Israel, to spotlight the challenges of a life marked by violence, war and occupation alongside nurturing hope and highlighting groups and individuals striving for a just peace.

Easter in the Holy Land takes place this year amid devastating violence and immense human suffering. The prospect of peace may seem increasingly distant. Yet the story of Easter itself is about a time of darkness and despair, but also about holding on to hope. 

As we witness violence and injustice in the Holy Land and the struggle of its peoples to find peace, the 2024 WCC-EAPPI Easter initiative will lift up the call to roll away the heavy stone of violence, war and occupation, pain and suffering, and to remind the world of what is needed to bring about peace, to transform swords into ploughshares.

We look to the Holy Land with a heavy heart, for all the death, destruction and trauma being inflicted on the people of the land. We listen to the cries of innocent children, women and men, who suffer so grievously and unjustly from this brutal violence. We lament with all who suffer – Israelis bereaved, held hostage or otherwise affected by the attacks on 7 October, the people of Gaza displaced from their homes, grieving for loved ones buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings, and enduring continuous intense bombardment. (From statement by WCC Executive Committee, 13 November 2023)

From 1-28 March, resources including feature stories, Biblical reflections and prayers, advocacy tools, and social media content will be shared for use by WCC member churches and partners. 

Learn more: Easter Initiative 2024