CWS is looking forward to the visit of Claudette Habesch, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem and board member for the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR).  DSPR is a longtime partner.
Claudette is touring the country as a guest of Caritas and will speak at a joint public event in Christchurch on March 1.  She is a passionate advocate for her people, having been expelled from her Jerusalem home at aged seven. 
Hear her interviewed on Chris Laidlaw on Radio New Zealand.
While in Aotearoa she will meet with churches, interfaith groups, schools, government officials and speak at public events.
Claudette is a member of the Committee for Christian Affairs of the Palestinian Authority (PA), and of the Islamic-Christian Commission funded by the PA to support Jerusalem and the Holy Sites. She has been active since 1992 in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and in the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees. She also participates in the inter-religious activities of Rabbis for Human Rights.
CWS has worked with the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees and the Middle East Council of Churches since 1948.  They work throughout the region, including in Gaza.  Presbyterian Women and the Methodist Women’s Fellowship are currently raising funds for a maternal health programme run by DSPR in Gaza.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a sister organisation serving the Catholic Church.
Liturgies ‘for the Peace of Jerusalem’, including an address by Claudette Habesch. will be held in Wellington, Palmerston North and Auckland Cathedrals.Public meetings will also be held in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland with the title, Healing and Hope for Palestine. Claudette Habesch will speak on how Caritas Jerusalem works to bring healing, hope and dignity to people living in the occupied Palestinian territories. She will also address efforts to achieve a just peace for all people living in Israel/Palestine.
WellingtonSunday 26 February, 4pm: Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hill St, Wellington. ‘Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem’ – liturgy including address by Claudette HabeschWednesday 29 February, 5.30-7pm: Wellington City Library community room, 65 Victoria St, Wellington. Public meeting: Healing and hope for Palestine. 
ChristchurchThursday 1 March:12 noon – 1pm: Knox Church, 28 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch (in association with Christian World Service) Public meeting: Healing and hope for Palestine.  7:30pm: St Matthew’s Church, 108 Jeffreys Rd, Strowan, Christchurch (in association with Justice and Peace Group of Bryndwr Catholic Parish). Public meeting: Healing and Hope for Palestine. Tea and coffee to follow. Poster available.
Palmerston North Sunday 4 March, 3pm: Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 197 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North. ‘Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem’ – liturgy including address by Claudette Habesch.
AucklandWednesday 7 March, 7.30 pm: ‘A Just Peace for the Holy Land?’ Selwyn library, 8 St Stephens Ave, Parnell. Talk Two in a series of four on ‘Injustice in our time:  A faith response’. Jointly sponsored by the Catholic and Anglican Cathedral parishes of Auckland.Thursday 8 March, 5.30-7pm: St Columba’s Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby. Public meeting: Healing and hope for Palestine.  Sunday 11 March, 5.45pm-6.45pm: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Wyndham St, Auckland. ‘Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem’ – liturgy including address by Claudette Habesch. Tea/coffee to follow in Liston Hall.22 February 2012