Church group urges end to Israeli 'occupation'

A Geneva-based church body said Monday it would launch a global initiative to have churches worldwide rally for an end to Israel's "occupation" of Arab lands seized in the Six Day War. The World Council of Churches said in a statement that it designated Jordan as a venue for its initiative, which would enlist support from ecclesiastical institutions worldwide. Founded in 1948, the World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity. It groups 347 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing over 560 million Christians in more than 110 countries.