The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) is gravely concerned about the resumption of a new wave of bombing in Gaza on March 17-18, 2025, that broke every aspect of the cease-fire deal, resulting in the deaths of 400 Palestinians and yet another round of displacement for people in Gaza. The latest wave of airstrikes came after two months of the cease-fire agreement. Palestinian women, children, and men in the Gaza Strip have faced repeated displacement and continue to grapple with worsening humanitarian conditions. Their pain compels us to acknowledge, empathize, and take action against such deep injustice. This Lenten season urges us not only to reflect but to act.
WCRC, a global fellowship of Reformed churches, has long advocated for justice and peace in the region. In response to the continuing struggle and injustice, WCRC reaffirms its commitment to equipping churches, theologians, and faith communities with resources for theological reflection, education, and advocacy to better understand the question of Palestine. As the question and the struggle persist, WCRC reiterates its commitment to fostering dialogue and promoting peace-building efforts. Focus: Palestine, launched in 2021 by WCRC, remains a valuable tool for engaging with these pressing issues, fostering dialogue, and promoting peace and justice in the region. The resource was created to lift up Palestinian voices while placing the situation into theological, historical, and political contexts.
In 2017, the General Council of the WCRC received a call from the Palestinian Christian community urging a response to the deep injustices and suffering in their homeland. The council responded by adopting Action 55, which recognized that the integrity of Christian faith and practice is at stake in the face of the oppression experienced in Palestine. The resolution mandated the WCRC Secretariat to:
- Gather and share studies and resources addressing the Palestinian people’s plight, with an emphasis on transforming the conflict into a just and peaceful society.
- Engage in theological reflection and discernment, examining how theological interpretations have been used to justify oppression, with the goal of guiding churches toward prophetic action.
- Encourage the WCRC Executive Committee to support initiatives focused on dialogue, civil peace services, mediation, conflict prevention, and conflict transformation.
In fulfillment of this mandate, Focus: Palestine was developed as a freely accessible collection of studies, theological reflections, and advocacy tools. It consists of three main sections, an extensive appendix, and linked video resources, all available for download, reproduction, and distribution for non-profit use with proper attribution.
Focus: Palestine includes:
- Part 1: The historical and current context of the Palestinian struggle.
- Part 2: Theological reflections on justice, reconciliation, and solidarity.
- Part 3: Practical resources for advocacy, education, and engagement.
- Appendices: Supplementary materials and additional references.
Co-authors Katherine Cunningham and Noushin Darya Framke emphasize the importance of this work, stating: “Hear the Palestinian church’s call. Listen to their stories and struggles; witness their hope and resilience. Then, ‘Go and Tell’—take action boldly. Our prayer is that this handbook will inspire you to be a voice for justice and truth. May it be a pilgrimage of the heart and, even more, a journey into solidarity.”
Focus: Palestine serves as a vital tool for churches and faith-based organizations seeking to deepen their understanding and commitment to peace and reconciliation in Palestine. The WCRC invites all member churches and ecumenical partners to utilize this resource in their efforts toward justice and peace.
