Under pressure of Christians in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, the World Council of Churches has regularly issued one-sided condemnations of Israel while remaining silent about obstacles to peace in Palestinian society. Because of pressure from Christians in the West Bank, the WCC has been a major proponent of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign to pressure Israel into making concessions to the Palestinians. However, most recently, the organization is doing everything it can to convince people it is not part of, and was never part of, the BDS movement – as a matter of convenience, not of principle.
An activist from the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine-Israel gives a tour to a would-be peacemaker attending a Christ at a Christ at the Checkpoint Conference. (Dexter Van Zile photo.)