Walk With Us For Peace in Gaza
Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage is a global network of 40 + autonomous Christian groups (including Peace Catalyst) who are engaging in a peaceful and prayerful show of solidarity with the people of Gaza by walking the length of the Gaza strip in cities around the world during Lent.
As peace catalysts, we’re helping to organize a few walks around the United States. So far, we have one scheduled in the Twin Cities on March 23rd and one in San Diego on March 30th.
Here’s what we’re calling and praying for:
An enduring and sustained ceasefire
An immediate flow of life-saving food, water, aid, fuel, and humanitarian assistance
A release of all hostages – both the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the Palestinian hostages held in the Israeli prison system
An end of occupation so a just peace can begin
Eight Core Convictions for the Pilgrimages:
Above all our prayer is that Jesus’ way of healing-justice through nonviolent-enemy-love be how the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages are to be experienced by all. Because of this…
We make a stand against any form of hatred including antisemitism and Islamophobia. We hurt the movement (and are not faithful to Jesus) when hatred of anyone or any People clouds the clarity of naming the war crimes being committed by the modern nation state of Israel. Hatred (be it racism or some other dehumanizing practice) also hurts the much needed collaboration essential to end this horror. We are clear that “our battle is not against flesh and blood” but against the Powers responsible. If hatred animates your analysis or activism, we are not the movement for you.
We are about nonviolent solidarity, not neutrality. We value every human life as made in the image of God and because of this we must tell the truth about this asymmetrical conflict in the context of apartheid policies, military occupation and what experts overwhelmingly identify as genocidal intent in Israel’s war on Gaza.
We seek to work with and be led by Palestinian Christians who are in agreement with these core convictions in each of the contexts of where the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages are happening.
We are aware of the settler colonial histories, not just in Palestine, but in many of the places we live. We seek the blessing and collaboration of the First Nations Peoples of the land on which we walk and recommit ourselves to the work of healing-justice with First Nations Peoples.
We hope that Muslim and Jewish friends, or people from any faith or no faith who are committed to the above would feel welcome to join us, if not bothered by us Christians being ourselves. We may carry crosses, or sing hymns, or read Scriptures, walk in periods of silence or stop for prayer along the way. If you are ok with this, you are more than welcome. If you are coming and would like us to plan stops so you can pray, please let local organizers know.
We make the commitment to you that there will be no proselytization. No bait and switch.
We engage in the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage as an act of repentance. On behalf of ourselves, our churches, and our nations. Both the sins of omission in not standing with the Palestinian people, or in the sins of commission where there has been active support for what experts overwhelmingly identify as genocidal intent in the ongoing war on Gaza.
Walks are happening in 145 cities in 18 countries this Lent. Visit https://www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com/ to find one near you or sign up to organize one in your city. OR, use the buttons below to join one of our walks in the U.S.