(ENI). A Jerusalem archbishop has joined in a multi-faith rejection of violence and killing in the Middle East at a service attended by religious leaders who called for an end to 40 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

Jerusalem Roman Catholic Archbishop Fouad Twal on 3 June addressed an ecumenical service in the holy city's St Stephens Church to mark the anniversary of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. "Our refusal of the use of violence is in defence of the dignity of all and according to the Gospel and the holy books." he said.

There had been enough killing, violence and domination in the region, Twal said.

The service was part of the International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel, an initiative of the Geneva-based World Council of Churches, involving churches worldwide in the week of 3-9 June. Among those at the service were members of community-related organizations and the Jerusalem Coalition for Civil Society. It included Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

In his address, Archbishop Twal spoke of insecurity, instability and the absence of peace throughout the past four decades. Killings, house demolitions, putting people in prison were among the many aspects of the occupation, where the "language of force and violence prevailed," he said.

"Closed borders have separated our faithful," said the archbishop. "Many have left the land, diminishing the size of the Christian community." He said the church was saying to those who have left, "Our land needs you."

Still, despite the trauma, Twal said his message was one of hope: "Human beings are capable of destruction, but also of leading the way to real peace." He called for reconciliation to enable people to live in dignity and security and so that the present generation may build a better future.

At the end of the service, the 120 participants joined in launching the church action week by praying for God's help to end the occupation "not by revenge, not by hatred", but through seeing God "in each other as Palestinians and Israelis, Jews, Christians and Muslims". They also prayed to accept "each others' humanity whilst mutually recognising each others' religious, civil, political, and national rights".

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