“The only way to address the terrible cycle of violence in the Middle East is to address the root cause of that violence”, said World YMCA Secretary General Carlos Sanvee on 10 October 2023. “We all dream of a peace founded on justice for the region.”
YMCA leaders from across the globe met with Peter Nasir, General Secretary of the East Jerusalem YMCA, in an online meeting on 10 October 2023.
Peter Nasir shared news of his contacts with YMCA colleagues in East Jerusalem itself, and Gaza, and local branches in Bethlehem, Ramallah and Jericho.
Carlos Sanvee has also been in touch with YMCA colleagues in Gaza. “In my last text message, I asked if there was anything that YMCA colleagues could do for them, and the answer was: “In fact, no – please just pray”.
Carlos Sanvee continued: “Collectively, we watch this situation with extreme concern, and our thoughts and prayers are with all our YMCA colleagues in Gaza, at YMCA East Jerusalem and Jerusalem International YMCA and across the region, and with all the young people and communities they serve. We invite the worldwide YMCA Movement to remain in prayer with our brothers and sisters for a short-term solution to end this horrible violence and suffering, and longer-term for a lasting and just peace. Our faith tells us that peace and justice are handmaidens”.
The fruit of … righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever (Isaiah 32, 17)