The Question of Jerusalem

Background 

The conflict over the status of Jerusalem is often cited as the most sensitive, central and emotive of the conflicts shaking the Middle East region as a whole. While discussion in the current peace process as to the Holy City's future had long been postponed at Israel's insistence, Palestinians in the annexed city continued to suffer the daily abuse of occupation in the form of Israeli discriminatory practices against them. Being located in East Jerusalem, PASSIA experiences first-hand the impact of these policies on the city’s Palestinian sector.

This is one of the reasons why Jerusalem has always been and will continue to be a primary focus of PASSIA's activities. Since its establishment, PASSIA has provided a forum for dialogue and hosted workshops on the various aspects of and perspectives on the city and its future, involving people of various backgrounds, including local and foreign scholars, representatives from the three monotheistic religions, members of all Palestinian political factions and schools of thought, Israeli academics and political figures, and representatives from the diplomatic corps. Besides hosting meetings, PASSIA’s projects on Jerusalem include research, documentation, publication and cooperation with other institutions to increase both awareness and knowledge concerning the various aspects of the Holy City.

Building on its longstanding and extensive involvement in the question of Jerusalem and its past experience in holding seminars, PASSIA agreed to organize and host a two-day seminar on Jerusalem for a visiting study group from World Council of Churches member churches in the US.

The purpose of the program presented here is to substantiate and develop the knowledge of the participants as to the components and daily implications of what makes up the Jerusalem Question, and to allow for an open and informed debate on the current and future issues affecting the disputed city.

Participants

 Study Group (WCC member Churches in the US):

Ruth Allen
Gender Justice Issues Program Coordinator at the Presbyterian UN Office 
Presbyterian Church (USA), New York

Michelle Curtis
Staff at University of New Mexico, 
Presbyterian Church (USA), NM

Wylin Dassie
Seminary Student and Graduate research assistant in the Office of Black Women in Church and Society at Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA.

Florida, Freewill Baptist Conference   Lars Jepsen
Library worker
Presbyterian Church (USA), CA

Kawi Mailutha
College graduate in Social Work and Economics
Presbyterian Church (USA), Kenya and NY

Hannah Merriman
Currently working in the field of internet; degree in Comparative Religions
Friends United Meeting, NY

Jodie Mueller
Chemical Engineering student at Cooper Union
Episcopal Church, NY

Kathryn Olsen
Medical Student
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Illinois

Nick Reith
NYU student in Comparative Religion and French
Episcopal Church, Connecticut

Vance Robbins
Insurance worker and speaker
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, TX

Traci Scheuermann
Social Worker
Presbyterian Church (USA), Iowa

Casey Thompson
Campus Minister
Presbyterian Church (USA), Iowa

Ana Toledo
Recent Seminary Graduate
United Methodist Church, Maryland

World Council of Churches (WCC):

Salpy Eskidjian
Executive Secretary for the Middle East, WCC - International Relations, Geneva

Paulette Mixon
Intern, Church and Ecumenical Relations, WCC - USA office

 Sara Speicher
Communication Officer, WCC - Cluster on Relations, Geneva