News stories in recent months and opportunities for action,
from and for the Palestine Portal community.
(See previous news stories here. Previous action alerts are here.)
Kairos Groups Oppose Israel’s Annexation Plan
30 April 2020 – Kairos Palestine: The Dire Consequences of Israel’s “Coalition Government”
SEE THIS
“The board of Kairos Palestine raises an alarm regarding the consequences of the third failed Israeli election in less than a year. The resulting coalition entered on April 20, 2020, combines two of the most right-wing parties—Bennie Gantz’s Blue and White and Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud—in a deal that directly threatens Palestinians’ freedom, health and human rights.” Read more
2 May 2020 – Kairos Palestine-Sweden: European Union has to be prepared to use sanctions against Israel (Photo: Anna Karin Hammar, Ecumenical Coordinator for Kairos Palestine-Sweden, holds sign saying “Preserve International Law.”)
SEE THIS
“The new unity government of Israel has pulled out all the stops. Annexation of parts of the West Bank may become reality as early as July 1st. Such an annexation of any part of the West Bank would constitute a clear violation of international law. However, it would be in line with a majority of the Knesset and with the support of the U.S. government.” Read more
Fourteen church agencies and organizations urge Trump to lift sanctions and other restrictions on health care during Covid-19 pandemic
Protestants, Catholics and Christians of other traditions urge the Trump administration to make “goodwill gestures” that will demonstrate U.S. concern for the people of Iran, Syria and Gaza.
SEE MORE
Regarding Gaza, they state: “The U.S. should end its support for the blockade of Gaza and immediately press Israel to ensure that medical supplies and technology are provided to Gaza, that patients needing treatment outside of Gaza are given the permits necessary for extended periods of treatment, and that family members, especially parents accompanying children, are also granted permits to travel.” See the letter
⚠️ ACTION ALERT
Israel Must Release Palestinian Child Detainees Amid Covid-19
This petition from Defense for Children International–Palestine calls on Israeli authorities to take immediate action to release all Palestinian child detainees in Israeli prisons due to the rapid global spread of the COVID-19 virus.
SEE MORE & SIGN THE PETITION
Palestinian children imprisoned by Israeli authorities live in close proximity to each other, often in compromised sanitary conditions, with limited access to resources to maintain minimum hygiene routines, according to documentation collected by DCIP. COVID-19’s impact is exacerbated by these living conditions making Palestinian children in Israeli prisons and detention centers increasingly vulnerable. SIGN THE DCIP PETITION
⚠️ ACTION ALERT
Open Letter to Church Leaders
From Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP) – Calls on church leaders to take urgent action in this time of Covid-19 for the Palestinians in beseiged Gaza, by contacting the Israeli government and the U.S. Congress. See the letter AND take action to contact the Israeli Prime Minister at UMKR’s website
U.S. Congressional Action for Palestinians in the time of COVID-19
Senators’ Letter to State Department – March 2020
Eight senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for U.S. humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people during the global health crisis of the coronavirus. See the story on Mondoweiss Download the letter with signers
Representatives Letter to State Department – February 2020
Thirty-one members of the House of Representatives sent a similar letter to the State Department in February, and they included a call to end U.S. support for Israel’s blockade of Gaza. See this story on The Hill Download the letter with signers
Faith leaders and organizations stand up to the U.S. Plan for “Peace to Prosperity”
On January 28, 2020, the United States announced and published its much-vaunted “Deal of the Century,” titled “Peace to Prosperity.” Faith leaders and organizations in Palestine, North America, Europe, and across the world responded immediately with outrage and protest. “An insult to history, humanity, the Palestinian people, and American dignity itself” reads the statement from Kairos Palestine. See opposition and calls for action from Palestinian Christians, and dozens of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim groups and denominations.
STATEMENTS FROM PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS
Kairos Palestine (the Palestinian Christian movement in the Holy Land): “Today we ask churches and Christians across the globe to stand up in the face of injustice against the Palestinian people and demand their countries to reject categorically the so-called ‘deal of the century’, reiterating that neither peace nor justice can prevail unless justice is fulfilled, occupation is ended, and Palestinians are granted their full rights.”See their full statement
The Middle East Council of Churches: Secretary General states “the Palestinian cause is a rightful cause and addressing it through bargaining and trade-offs is unacceptable…. The Middle East Council of Churches….calls the international community to put an end to the injustice and restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinians. See his statement
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land: Statement from Bishop Azar includes calls for action by partner churches See his statement
Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem (above): Their statement on Trump’s plan includes a call to Palestinian leaders: “We also call upon all Palestinian political parties, factions, and leaders to meet to discuss all disputes, end the state of internal conflict, terminate division, and adopt a unified stand towards concluding the state building based on plurality and democratic values.” See their statement
Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace: “There can never be a just and lasting peace agreement without securing the freedom of the Palestinian people. To that end, we call upon our fellow Americans to reject the Trump Administration’s ‘Charade of the Century,’ and call for applying real accountability on Israel, by conditioning U.S. military aid to Israel on Israel ending the occupation See more
INTERNATIONAL FAITH-BASED RESPONSES
World Council of Churches: “This proposal was developed without meaningful participation by representatives of the Palestinian people, and primarily in line with long-stated Israeli objectives. It constitutes an ultimatum, rather than a real, sustainable or just solution. No just peace can be established for either Palestinians or Israelis with such a plan….WCC urges members of the international community not to support this proposal or to recognize its implementation unless and until a better plan has been negotiated and agreed with representatives of the Palestinian people and in compliance with the principles of international law….See more
ACT Alliance, Palestine Forum (large coalition of Protestant and Orthodox churches): “ACT Alliance condemns the US administration’s proposal – consistent with US policy shifts we have witnessed over the past years – as a blatant breach of international law, and we reiterate that any solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be negotiated and accepted by both sides…. In other words, the U.S. policy encourages annexation and exacerbates human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) and the Golan Heights.” The statement includes a call to specific actions. See the statement
Lutheran World Federation: “Peace can never be unilaterally imposed,” write LWF president Archbishop Panti Filibus Musa and LWF General Secretary Rev Dr Martin Junge in a statement released on 29 January. “The plan ignores fundamental principles of international law and human rights conventions, as well as numerous UN General Assembly and UN Security Council resolutions, setting a dangerous precedent for the future.” See more
UNITED STATES CHURCHES AND FAITH GROUPS
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA): “I am very dismayed and disturbed by President Trump’s announcement of a “peace plan” that, I fear, will bring greater insecurity for Israelis and Palestinians instead of peace….Rather than drawing together Israelis and Palestinians to reach a peace accord, the effect of this plan will be further alienation and, I am afraid, more tension, with the possibility of new, violent responses. This path will not lead to peace with justice. It will not promote reconciliation. But it will reinforce extremists in Israel, in Palestine and throughout the
region, decreasing security for everyone.” See more
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church USA: “This “deal” is little more than a cynical rephrasing of the conditions that have kept the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation for decades. It codifies Israel’s egregious theft of Palestinian land and would continue Israel’s military rule, even over the areas allocated to the so-called Palestinian state. It lacks any evidence of a true willingness to include the interests of the Palestinian community.” See more
Joint Statement, United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ: “…our responsible response is one of grave concern. We do not read the 181-page proposal as either realistic or just. We fear for its devastatingly deleterious effects on Palestinian rights, for its implications for international law and institutions, and for the possible consequences on the people living in an already untenable circumstance. We do not see God’s justice in it.” See more
Israel Palestine Mission Network (IPMN), Presbyterian Church USA: “There should be no surprise at the injustice of what has been proclaimed the “ultimate peace plan” for Palestine and Israel. For those who have paid attention, this is nothing new; it is simply the same old offer to share an ever-shrinking piece of power and opportunity, to a Palestinian community decimated already by ethnic cleansing. The plan is a house that the US has helped build over the last 50 years of Israeli military occupation….It is a patriarchal attitude which holds that those who win, those who have the power, get to decide what is left for those who have no clout, and even then, that those people should be grateful to have any remainders.” See more
Episcopal Peace Fellowship: Palestine Israel Network: “As an organization dedicated to working for true justice and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis, emphasizing political and human rights for Palestinians, the Palestine Israel Network of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF/PIN) condemns virtually every aspect of the US plan for resolving the Palestine-Israel conflict issued by President Trump on January 28, 2020. This plan should be of paramount interest to members of the Episcopal Church, for the Church has lent ardent support to the parish, educational, healthcare, and hospitality ministries of the Diocese of Jerusalem for many years….Our baptismal covenant to seek justice for all peoples compels us to speak out on what is at stake.” See more
Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP): “The proposed plan would further entrench the Israeli security establishment, ensuring that generations of Israeli young men and women will serve in a military tasked with continuing control of the Palestinian people. The inevitable result will be more human rights abuses, trauma, and violence.
This cannot stand.
In addition, as Christians, we must not stand by and let our faith be perverted. It is clear that Christian values are being weaponized in an attempt to give a veneer of moral legitimacy to a plan that is, in fact, meant to facilitate further Israeli control over Palestinian lives, land, and resources. The use of Judeo and Christian religious and spiritual imagery to justify political aims and agendas is idolatry. See more
American Muslims for Palestine: “The outlines of this plan are a recipe for more bloodshed, prolonging suffering in the Holy Land and across the Middle East. This is not a recipe for peace. The Trump administration in essence has embraced the stringent ideological positions and policies of Israel’s extreme right, acting as a conduit to channel these policies rather than policies based on human rights and international law,” stated Osama Abuirshaid, Executive Director of American Muslims for Palestine.
Therefore, this plan is dead on arrival. No Palestinian leader can accept it. And if any does, the Palestinian people will not, as it liquidates their rights that are enshrined by human rights and international law.” See more
Jewish Voice for Peace: “Rabbi Alissa Wise, Acting co-Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace, said: “This is in no way a peace plan – it’s an apartheid plan. It’s a distraction ploy by two warmongerers who are prioritizing their personal election campaigns over any semblance of statecraft. International law, global consensus and decades of U.S. policy concur that Palestinian land isn’t for Trump to give away nor for Netanyahu to steal….” See more
CANADIAN CHURCHES AND FAITH GROUPS
United Church of Canada: Letter sent to Prime Minister Trudeau, copied to Canada’s major political parties, to “urge Canada to maintain a principled policy position in accordance with international law, and to strongly oppose the Trump Administration’s “Middle East peace plan” for Israel and Palestine….We further call on Canada to urge other international leaders to denounce the notion that this “plan” could offer a framework through which peace could be negotiated.” See the full letter
Anglican Church of Canada: Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau calls on him “to maintain a principled policy position in accordance with international law, and to strongly, publicly oppose President Trump’s “Peace for Prosperity” plan….We lament with global and Canadian ecumenical partners that the Trump administration’s plan is far from being a “win-win” for Israelis and Palestinians. Rather, we recognize, with many others including Canada, peace with justice will not come by discounting or ignoring Palestinian rights and aspirations.” See this letter
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada: Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau states “Peace can never be unilaterally imposed. Palestinians must be meaningfully involved as part of any peace process. The recent U.S. plan entrenches the occupation. Any path to peace needs to be based on dignity, equality, human rights and self-determination. Ending the occupation is an essential first step for making the journey toward peace.” See their full letter
Presbyterian Church of Canada: Letter to Prime Minister, copied to major political parties, states: “We have heard from our partners in the Middle East…the desperation they feel. This plan cannot bring about peace between Israel and Palestine, as it leaves in place and even cements the very thing that furthers conflict: the occupation and the illegal practices that have characterized it. As such, this plan would set a dangerous precedent of enshrining as a “peace” framework what is fundamentally a violation of international law.” See this letter
Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers): “Any plan toward peace must involve all parties in the negotiation process. It must reflect the needs of all affected parties, not just the needs of the party in the more powerful position. A plan that ensures permanent Israeli power over many aspects of Palestinian life, allows for the further illegal annexation of Palestinian land (a grave violation of the international legal order with far reaching consequences), and grants to the Palestinian people a weak quasi-state with few actual powers, must be rejected in the strongest of terms.” See their full statement
KAIROS Canada: Open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudea calls on Canadian government “to renew its commitment to lasting peace by publicly rejecting this plan, immediately addressing the worsening humanitarian situation for Palestinians and working towards a just peace agreement rooted in the spirit of international law and human rights.” See the announcment and letter
Mennonite Central Committee Canada: Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau states “By rejecting this plan and insisting on a negotiated settlement between two parties based on international law, Canada can contribute to the conditions necessary for an actual just peace. To this end, MCC urges Canada to support diplomatic efforts—including United Nations resolutions—that seek to uphold international law and protect the rights, well-being, and dignity of the region’s peoples.” See this letter in English The letter in French
Canadian Friends of Sabeel: “With no Palestinians present in the room, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu unveiled the plan, which:
– Legalizes all Israeli settlements, annexing them indefinitely for the Israeli state
– Organizes Palestinians into “bantustans” – drawing further parallels between Apartheid Israel and Apartheid South Africa
– Declares Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel
– Annexes the Jordan Valley
– Denies Palestinians the right of return
– Demands the demilitarization of the entire future Palestinian state
See their email
UNITED KINGDOM CHURCHES AND FAITH GROUPS
The Church of Scotland: “Any resolution to this terrible situation needs to seriously consider the aspirations and rights of the Palestinian people to equality, justice, self-determination and freedom; enshrined within the parameters of international law. The ‘Peace to Prosperity’ plan flagrantly disregards the basic rights of the Palestinian people by unilaterally endorsing the demands and conditions of one side. In depriving one side of its most basic aspirations for equality and statehood, it risks making an already fragile situation worse.” See the statement
Catholic Bishops of England and Wales: Bishops reject “Peace for Prosperity” plan and insist on the upholding of international law and human rights for all in the Holy Land.
“…no proposal and no serious perspective could be reached without the agreement of the two peoples, Israelis and Palestinians. These proposals have to be based on equal rights and dignity. The plan “Peace-to-Prosperity” does not contain these conditions. It does not give dignity and rights to the Palestinians. It is to be considered a unilateral initiative, since it endorses almost all the demands of one side, the Israeli one….On the other hand, this plan does not really take into consideration the just demands of the Palestinian people to their homeland, human rights and a dignified life.” See the statement
Joint Call from UK Quakers, Sabeel-Kairos UK, and many partners: “The UK has repeatedly stated that annexation of part of the West Bank “would be contrary to international law, damaging to peace efforts and could not pass unchallenged.” Now is the time for the UK to outline what form such a challenge would take, and how it will work with other states to support the Palestinian people to attain their fundamental right to self-determination.” See more
OTHER FAITH COMMUNITIES AND COALITIONS
Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network, Australia: “The final instalment of the so called ‘Deal of the Century’ has been unveiled. The Peace to Prosperity, 181 page document has drawn world wide criticism and derision. Once again we see President Trump overriding international law to present this unilateral plan. It was telling that Netanyahu stood at the President’s side as Trump revealed the plan and has vowed to immediately implement the recommendations if reelected in the next Israeli elections.” See their email
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⚠️ ACTION ALERT:
No to Christian Support for the “Deal of the Century”
Read and sign the petition FOSNA has created at MoveOn.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH OF THESE EVENTS AT OUR EVENTS PAGE
Or click the links provided to go to their websites
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Webinar
From the Oslo Accords to BDS:
Topography of Palestine’s Activism in the US
4 August 2020
6:30 P.M. (Eastern), 5:30 P.M. (Central), 4:30 P.M. (Mountain), 3:30 P.M. (Pacific)
The Jerusalem Fund
Click here to register and scroll down that page
Webinar
Interview with Ali Abunimah
5 August 2020
2:00 P.M. (Eastern), 1:00 P.M (Central), 12 P.M. (Mountain), 11:00 A.M. (Pacific)
Indiana Center for Middle East Peace (ICMEP)
We will post the url for the Zoom session here when we receive it.
Or you can email Michael Spath at Lmichaelspath@gmail.com
to receive the link
See upcoming ICMEP event and recordings of past events at:
https://www.facebook.com/IndianaCMEP/events
Webinar
Interview with Sahar Vardi
11 August 2020
2:00 P.M. (Eastern), 1:00 P.M (Central), 12 P.M. (Mountain), 11:00 A.M. (Pacific)
Indiana Center for Middle East Peace (ICMEP)
We will post the url for the Zoom session here when we receive it.
Or you can email Michael Spath at Lmichaelspath@gmail.com
to receive the link
See upcoming ICMEP event and recordings of past events at:
https://www.facebook.com/IndianaCMEP/events
Webinar
Interview with Linda Sarsour
20 August 2020
2:00 P.M. (Eastern), 1:00 P.M (Central), 12 P.M. (Mountain), 11:00 A.M. (Pacific)
Indiana Center for Middle East Peace (ICMEP)
We will post the url for the Zoom session here when we receive it.
Or you can email Michael Spath at Lmichaelspath@gmail.com
to receive the link
See upcoming ICMEP event and recordings of past events at:
https://www.facebook.com/IndianaCMEP/events
Film Screening and discussion
From Balfour to Banksy
20 August 2020: Watch Party
6:30 P.M. (Eastern), 5:30 P.M. (Central), 4:30 P.M. (Mountain), 3:30 P.M. (Pacific)
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.co/watch?v=FT7R9pNwXF8
Also at the film website:https://www.balfourtobanksy.com/
26 August 2020: Zoom Discussion
6:30 P.M. (Eastern), 5:30 P.M. (Central), 4:30 P.M. (Mountain), 3:30 P.M. (Pacific)
Indiana Center for Middle East Peace (ICMEP)
We will post the url for the Zoom session here when we receive it.
Or you can email Michael Spath at Lmichaelspath@gmail.com
to receive the link
See upcoming ICMEP event and recordings of past events at:
https://www.facebook.com/IndianaCMEP/events
Film screening and discussion
The Occupation of the American Mind
Watch party • 10 September 2020
6:30 P.M. (Eastern), 5:30 P.M. (Central), 4:30 P.M. (Mountain), 3:30 P.M. (Pacific)
Webinar • 17 September 2020
6:30 P.M. (Eastern), 5:30 P.M. (Central), 4:30 P.M. (Mountain), 3:30 P.M. (Pacific)
An Evening with Sut Jhally, Executive Producer
We will post the url for the Zoom session here when we receive it.
Or you can email Michael Spath at Lmichaelspath@gmail.com
to receive the link
See upcoming ICMEP event and recordings of past events at:
https://www.facebook.com/IndianaCMEP/events
Virtual Conference
Virtual Palestine Advocacy Day
14-18 September 2020
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
$10 registration fee
Learn more and Register: https://palestineadvocacy.com
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Webinar Series: KUMI NOW
Every Tuesday
11:00 am (ET), 10:00 am (CT), 9:00 am (MT), 8:00 am (PT), 6:00 pm (Palestine)
Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
Learn about Sabeel’s Kumi Now initiative:
https://kuminow.com/online/
Register for these webinars at the Kumi Now website: https://kuminow.com/online
See Kumi’s past webinars here: https://kuminow.com/online-archives/
To bring activists around the world together for Palestine, Kumi Now is hosting weekly video gatherings to connect activists with the organizations working for Palestine and get everyone involved in activism for Palestine. Gatherings happen every Tuesday at 6:00pm Palestinian time (GMT+3). That’s 8:00am in Seattle, 10:00am in Chicago, 11:00am in New York, 4:00pm in London, 5:00pm across much of Europe.
Each session features at least one speaker from the co-host organization, and often additional speakers from Sabeel or other organizations, ensuring you get a broad exposure to the people and organizations involved in the movement for Palestinian rights. Each session also includes a Q and A: the opportunity to share our thoughts and ideas among activists.
An Evening of Palestinian Art
4 August 2020
We will celebrate Palestinian culture and art through film and other forms of art. Guests will be announced soon!
Defense for Children International–Palestine and Youth Detention
11 August 2020
Khaled Quzmar, general director of DCIP, will inform us on the state Israel’s illegal use of youth detention.
Churches for Middle East Peace and Living in Gaza Under Blockade.
18 August 2020
Guests to be confirmed. We will use this evening to learn about the current state of affairs in Gaza.
Dar al-Kalima and Art as Resistance
25 August 2020
Guests to be confirmed. This evening, we will learn ways in which art is being used as a form of resistance in Palestine.
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Every week, Christians around the world join in prayer with Palestinian Christians, through the Wave of Prayer from the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem. Below are recent prayers as well as news bites from Sabeel: use the scroll bar to see more of them and click on any item, to read more at Sabeel’s website.
PALESTINE PORTAL ON TWITTER
Use the scroll bar to see more tweets ⬇︎
.@DCIPalestine is raising the alarm: an Israeli jailer working at a prison with Palestinian children has COVID-19. Demand Israel release these kids and all child prisoners during the pandemic!
https://nwttac.dci-palestine.org/petition_israel_must_release_all_palestinian_child_detainees_amid_covid_19_pandemic
Join Kairos Palestine in calling to the world - sign the Cry for Hope! #Cry4hope http://chng.it/fXkCZBDr via @Change
Progressive congresswomen @AOC, @RashidaTlaib, @PramilaJayapal & @BettyMcCollum04 just wrote a historic letter to defund Israel's annexation and apartheid policies.
We need you to help them move Congress to action: http://bit.ly/investinjustice4all
Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is the largest Israel lobby in the U.S. driving investment in Israel’s oppression of the Palestinian people. #CUFISummit #CounterCUFI
#InvestinJustice
On July 1st, Israel's Prime Minister is set to expand Israel into much of Palestine, but the @EUCouncil @JosepBorrellF @HeikoMaas @francediplo can make them think twice. Let's call on them to do so! #PalestineMustLive #StopAnnexation https://fb.avaaz.org/campaign/en/no_more_palestine/?wZQjiab
