Yes. We just ask if you are going to use the name you embody the practices outlined in our Core Convictions, and commit to what we are praying and calling for:

1. Enduring and Sustained Ceasefire.

2. Immediate flow of life saving food, water, aid, fuel and humanitarian assistance.

3. Release of all hostages – both the Israeli hostages held by Hamas – and the Palestinian hostages held in the Israeli prison system.

4. End of occupation so a just-peace can begin.

No. You can join us for as little or as much as you want or are able. You may wish to walk, roll or ride the 19km or 12 miles symbolically taking a step for each life lost. You may wish to walk, roll or ride the whole 41km or 25 miles dramatising how small an area Gaza actually is while mapping that area onto your own city. You may only want to walk, roll or ride a short portion at some stage. You are welcome at any stage to join those who will travel the whole distance or be part of a support vehicle or meals team.

Many! We are from Anglican, Baptist, Catholic (including Melkite), Churches of Christ, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Uniting, Quaker, non-denominational and everything in between. What we share in common is wanting to take up our cross and stand in solidarity with the vulnerable, for God is love.

Depending on your climate it could be anything from sunscreen and sun smart clothes or snow appropriate attire

• To avoid blisters: if in a wheelchair consider gloves. If walking, good socks, proper footwear, lubricate your feet, keep your feet dry and bandage problem areas prior to problems.

• Water, food (we advise not to fast from water during the walk)

• First aid

• Friends!

No. Some walks might have planned times of silence but you’re not required to be quiet the whole time. We encourage you to get to know who you are walking, welcome everyone, particularly those who might not know anyone, and build community. We do ask that you conduct yourself in such a way that is respectful of those around you and is conducive to honouring the lives lost and some people’s possible desire to be in silent prayer. In short, do unto others, both on the pilgrimage and those who you pass, as you’d want them to do unto you.

Yes. We encourage you to speak through symbols; wear keffiyehs, bring Palestinian signs of sumud (steadfast endurance), carry crosses, or icons, or coffins, or signs. We do ask:

1. No demonising

2. No scapegoating

3. No dehumanising

Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage seek to humanise and honour lives lost. Even signs that would be appropriate for a sit-in or a rally might not be appropriate for this particular action given they might detract from the focus of the humanity of those suffering.

To mention explicitly again, no antisemitism will be tolerated. We hope our Jewish friends and neighbours will feel free to join us in calling out the nation state of Israel’s war crimes and what experts overwhelmingly identify as genocidal intent in the ongoing war against Gaza.

Depends, are you any good? A kazoo might not be appropriate but an oud or violin or guitar may be. Check with local organisers and ask the question, “Does this enhance people’s focus on the lives of people suffering”. If in doubt, leave it out.

No. The Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages are an easy entry action with no nonviolent arrestable actions planned as part of it. That said, local organisers are welcome to plan nonviolent arrestable action after the completion of the pilgrimage. But please do not confuse Jewish places of worship, or schools, or businesses with Israeli embassies, military bases or arms manufactures. Confusing Jewish People and institutions with Israeli institutions hurts the movement, re-traumatises Jewish people and alienates our Jewish neighbours working to end the occupation.

No. We believe in the power of mustard seeds. We encourage you to share in the invite widely, however, a group of any size is worth walking with.

41 km (or 25 miles) is about an 8 hour walk on flat terrain for most people. Our walk here on the lands of the Noongar People in Perth, Australia is starting at sunrise and we’ll take the whole day until sunset to allow time for breaks, the inclusion of people with disability, our elders, children, parents with prams etc and times of rest, meals, unplanned occurrences and moving at a pace that takes into consideration the possibility of larger groups. We will walk along the coast as it is easier terrain with wheelchair friendly footpaths and connects us to the Gazan coast.

Here are some other things to consider that may or may not fit with your context depending on the size of your group:

1. A route that is accessible for a variety of abilities and ages and considers if you will have a worship service as part of your pilgrimage to leave from, or arrive to, or greet you along the way

2. The possible need for a marching permit given your local laws

3. Support vehicle for first aid, water access, and media coordination

4. Transport coordination (once people arrive how they getting home?)

5. Media spokesperson (clear and disciplined communication of #GCeasefirePilgrimage messaging and a person agreed upon by the group because of their aptitude and integrity)

6. Media coordinator (sends out media releases, makes cold calls to media outlets, passes them on to the media spokesperson)

7. Social media coordinator (be discerning about the images and videos that are released and that they are in keeping with the intention, demands and core convictions)

8. Key social media person (disseminates info, photos, media etc)

9. First aid and pastoral care (responding to the physical and spiritual needs of the group)

10. Police liaison (an experienced communicator who acts as a conduit for the group)

11. Liturgist (coordinating meaningful prayer space, (for example stations of the cross along the way drawing connections to the experience of Palestinians) that’s appropriate to the task and those participating)

12. Musicians/worship leaders (if your group finds it appropriate this is very powerful when done well)

13. Visuals/props (banners, flags, photos etc)

14. Walk facilitator (takes responsibility for calling breaks to the group)

15. Photographer(s)

16. Videographer(s)

17. Legal contact (it can be helpful to have a supportive lawyer prearranged on call if necessary)

Visit the Join a Walk page to find a pilgrimage near you. Otherwise, you can express interest in hosting one here.