U.S. foundation takes Palestinian youths on Jerusalem pilgrimage

Published: 2005-05-10

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Part pilgrimage, part political statement and part social outing, the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation's "Journey to Jerusalem" brought some 780 Christian Palestinian youths from the West Bank to Jerusalem for a day of activities. "Some of the youth have never been to Jerusalem; others have only been here once or twice," said George Ghattas, who helped organize the event. "We want to convey to them the message that Jerusalem is theirs as well, that they belong to the city as Christians and as Palestinians. We are saying that Jerusalem is a place which needs to be shared in peace." He said the U.S.-based foundation also wanted to provide an opportunity for Christian youths from various parts of the West Bank to meet each other. With the series of Israeli checkpoints and border closings dotting the West Bank, it has become nearly impossible for Christians living in different areas to have encounters, he said.

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