GENEVA, May 1, 2026 (WAFA) – The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva.
Signed by the Head of the Committee and the PLO Executive Committee Member, Ramzi Khouri, the MoU establishes an enhanced framework for joint action, aimed at strengthening and expanding programs and initiatives implemented by the WCC in Palestine. It reflects a shared commitment to advancing universal values of justice, peace, and human dignity, while amplifying the Palestinian voice and presence on the global stage.
The signing took place during an official visit by a high-level Palestinian delegation led by Khouri, joined by Ambassador Amira Hanania, member of the Committee and its representative in Europe, and in the presence of Ambassador Ibrahim Khreisheh, Palestine’s ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Observer to the UN in Geneva.
The delegation was received by WCC Secretary-General Jerry Pillay, alongside senior WCC officials, including Dr. Kenneth Mtata, Program Director for Life, Justice, and Peace; Carla Khijoyan, Program Executive for Peacebuilding in the Middle East; Doug Shial, Director of the Office of the General Secretariat; and Marianne Ejdersten, Director of Communication; and Stylianos Pappas, Director of Finance.
As part of the visit, the delegation held high-level talks with the WCC Secretary-General at the Ecumenical Centre, focusing on advancing cooperation and emphasizing the urgency of intensifying international advocacy efforts in support of the Palestinian people, as well as the critical need to safeguard and sustain the historic Christian presence in the Holy Land amid mounting challenges.
The delegation also visited the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, where in-depth discussions were held on operationalizing the MoU. The meetings outlined concrete steps for activating joint programs and launching forward-looking initiatives designed to reinforce principles of justice and peace.
This visit forms part of a sustained and evolving partnership between the two sides and builds on engagements held in February. It aligns with broader national efforts to expand international partnerships, elevate Palestinian engagement in global platforms, and mobilize international support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The World Council of Churches, one of the largest and most influential ecumenical bodies globally, brings together 356 churches across more than 120 countries, representing over 580 million Christians worldwide.
K.F.
