The delegation is visiting the Holy Land virtually on 7-8 August, as recent developments in the region led to the postponement of an in-person visit originally slated for 5-9 August. The pastoral solidarity visit takes place against the backdrop of a situation of prolonged war and dire humanitarian need, with an aim to "amplify calls from the Holy Land to engage in meaningful dialogue aimed at restoring peace and stability" – not least in view of the evident risk of war escalating and spreading through the region and beyond. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III spoke to the importance not least at this particular point in time of global commitment and accompaniment of Christian presence in the Middle East and Jerusalem in particular, which he described as being of paramount importance. “As servants of the word of the lord, we are trying our best to pray for peace, for justice and reconciliation. What is going on is really very dangerous not only for our region and the Holy Land but for the whole world, and it is our moral obligation as spiritual leaders to promote and serve the values of the gospel,” Patriarch Theophilos said. “This gathering is about sending a message all over the world, and to the people here, a message of peace and reconciliation – if it comes from our hearts, I believe the Lord will listen to our prayers,” he added. WCC moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm echoed, “what we want to do is to really listen to what you have to say; we want to be a loudspeaker into the world, of the stories we are hearing.” “Please know that we are thinking of you, every day, deep in our hearts. And we will try not only to understand what is happening, but to engage in dialogue with others, for peace and justice,” Bedford-Strohm said. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay stressed the connection between this meeting and the in-person solidarity visit undertaken in February of this year: “as Church, we continue to pursue our prophetic ministry, to engage with both local communities and political leaders, and we are looking forward to pushing the agenda for an end to the war.” “We will continue to work for ceasefire and an end to the war. We will continue to look at the humanitarian situation, both in terms of access and aid. And we will continue to look at the question of what happens after the war. We need to put together roadmaps as to how we as churches and other faith communities can work together to build peace long-term,” Pillay said. Dr Michel Abs, Middle East Council of Churches general secretary, lifted up the words of His Beatitude Theophilos in reflecting on the broader Middle East context: “We should make our voices heard. The sound of bombs is not stronger than the sound of hearts, of love.” He added: “We should remind those occupying the land of others, destroying their houses and aggressing and humiliating them on daily basis, to leave room for reconciliation and love in the future.” The pastoral solidarity visit to the Holy Land takes place online on 7-8 August 2024. The delegation includes Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches; Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the WCC; Dr Audeh Quawas, member of the WCC central committee and executive committee; Dr Michel Abs, general secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches; Erik Lysén, moderator of ACT Alliance; Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, general secretary of ACT Alliance; Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis secretary general. Learn more: WCC holds digital solidarity visit to Holy Land (WCC press release of 6 August 2024) Archbishop of Canterbury statement on the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (2 August 2024) | 
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