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In Resource Directory:
Conquer and Divide, the new interactive website from B’Tselem, vividly illustrates what Israeli has done to shatter the lives of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories since 1967. Learn more about it
In Congregational Life:
New sermons added, by Mark Braverman of Kairos USA and Rev. Loren McGrail, former United Church of Christ missionary to the Holy Land Go to Sermons
ON THE RIGHT, FIND NEWS SOURCES, ACTION ALERTS, and MORE ►
McCollum Bill Back in Congress, Stronger Than Ever!
On April 30, 2019, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced H.R. 2407, the “Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act,” a bill prohibiting U.S. taxpayer funding for the military detention of children in any country, including Israel. This bill seeks to promote justice, equality and human rights by ensuring that U.S. financial assistance provided to Israel is not used to support widespread and institutionalized abuse of Palestinian children detained by Israeli forces and prosecuted in Israeli military courts.
UPDATE, JUNE 13, 2019: This landmark bill for Palestinian human rights now has 18 Co-sponsors! See them here
Read the political analysis by Josh Ruebner • Learn more about the bill and get resources with No Way to Treat A Child • Watch a webinar about the bill on Youtube • See the Endorsing Organizations
TAKE ACTION: Ask your Representative to Support this Bill – Send a message
Endorse HR 2407 as a Citizen Co-sponsor
Waving the Bible to Block Justice
May 30, 2019 – It is deplorable and somewhat surprising to watch Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, wave a Bible at a session of the Security Council to defend his country’s theft of Palestinian land in the West Bank. Read more at ChristianZionism.org
Global Kairos Petition Action: Nakba Day 2019
Washington DC, May 15, 2019 – On the 71st anniversary of the Nakba, the catastrophe of Palestinian exile and ethnic cleansing, a multi-faith delegation from around the Washington metro area gathered outside the Embassy of Israel to present the Global Kairos for Justice International petition to the government of Israel. The call for freedom and human rights was signed by by over 3200 individuals and organizations from 51 countries. Today’s delivery was linked to similar global events simultaneously commemorating the Nakba with actions at government buildings, embassies and consulates, as well as conferences and marches. Read more
The Global Kairos for Justice Petition
From Kairos Palestine and its partner movements, Global Kairos for Justice:
The petition declares the occupation policies and practices of the State of Israel to be unjust and illegal, including creating over 700,000 Palestinian refugees, occupying the remaining 22% of Palestine in 1967 in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 242, imposing an unjust system of military law, and adopting the discriminatory July 2018 Nation State Law. It calIs on the State of Israel to end the occupation of Palestine; restore the full and equal rights of Palestinian citizens living in Israel, and respect the right of return of Palestinian refugees. Read and SIGN the Petition
The Palestinian People are Committed to Seeking Freedom
Palestinian Christians and Civil Organizations Statement on Gaza Great March
As the peaceful gathering along the Gaza border that began on Land Day on March 30, 2018 continues, a historic call has gone out from a diverse group of 13 Palestinian Christian and secular organizations, including powerful and bold statements to Palestinian leaders, Israel, the United States, Arab states, and the international community. See the Statement
Call for Funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
March 2019 – Nineteen faith organizations and denominations sent an open letter to members of the U.S. Congress, that said in part: “Denying basic services to vulnerable populations will not bring about peace and security for anyone in the region. Furthermore, humanitarian assistance must be provided on the basis of need alone; it is unconscionable and against universally-agreed humanitarian principles to withhold aid to extract concessions from political leaders. We are greatly concerned by the Administration’s trend toward politicizing humanitarian assistance globally.” Read the letter
Rejecting Trump’s recognition of Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights
March 2019 – Ten US churches and Christian organizations issued a statement “fully reject[ing] this unilateral declaration” and stating: “We see this reversal of consistent US policy and international consensus—that the Golan Heights are occupied and were acquired by force in the 1967 War in contravention of international norms—as an abandonment by the US of diplomacy to resolve such issues.” See the statement
March 2019 – Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) issued the statement Recognizing Israeli Annexation of Golan Heights Another Dangerous Example of One-Sided U.S. Policy, stating that this decision “once again demonstrates the administration’s recklessly one-sided approach to Middle East foreign policy. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) deplores the move as violating one of the cornerstones of post-World War II international law: the illegitimacy of territory gained through conquest.” See the statement
Current U.S. Policy, Israel/Palestine, and the Churches
November 2018 – An ecumenical statement signed by 16 Christian leaders of churches and organizations was sent to all members of Congress and the Senate, as well as to the White House. The statement opposes changes in US policy and approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, namely the withdrawal of funding for UNRWA and all other US humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and closing the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, efforts to change the status of Palestinian refugees, and efforts to deny freedom of speech in the US regarding opposition to Israeli policies. See the statement
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Get the latest news on Israel/Palestine
Rise Against Racism, #CounterCUFI
Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is the largest organization in the US driving support for Israel’s oppression of the Palestinian people. Come to Washington, D.C. on July 7 and 8, during their annual summit, to tell the world to #CounterCUFI! Learn more, Endorse the Call to Action, Register for the DC action
Support Palestinian Children’s Human Rights
On April 30, 2019, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced H.R. 2407, the “Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.” It would prohibit U.S. aid to Israel being used to support widespread and institutionalized ill-treatment against Palestinian children by Israeli forces and in Israeli military courts. Learn more, see ways you can support this bill, and Send a message to your Representative
Find more information on these events at our EVENTS PAGE.
CMEP Peace Advocacy Summit Persistent Hope: 35 Years of CMEP
23-25 June 2019 • Washington DC, USA • Our 2019 Advocacy Summit will look back at everything CMEP has accomplished over the past three-and-a-half decades, as well as what our work will look like going forward and the opportunities to work for peace and justice that will come.
UK Sabeel-Kairos Annual Conference: Faith in Action 2019
• 29 June 2019 • Birmingham, United Kingdom • Meet like-minded people, learn about taking part in real activism, have good discussions, eat, drink, buy Palestinian food and enjoy Palestinian culture. The day’s schedule includes: Ethical investment, Campaign Action, Lunch, Palestinian Crafts and Photography, Palestinian and expert speakers, War on Want, Activist Workshops, Palestinian Food.
UNJPPI Annual Gathering 2019
United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI)
• 13-15 September 2019 • Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • This gathering will focus on the June 2017 call of the Palestinian churches to the World Council of Churches. We will reflect on what has been accomplished since 2012, and will hear: a Palestinian Christian leader addressing “Effective Solidarity is Costly;” Libby Davies on What blocks political change; Diana Ralph on What is Anti-Semitism–What It Is Not. Learn more and register: http://www.unjppi.ca
Attend Two Conferences in One Trip to the Holy Land: Kairos Palestine and Sabeel Jerusalem have scheduled their 2019 events consecutively – the Kairos Palestine on 29-30 November, Sabeel on 2-7 December • Details on the Sabeel Event: Palestinian Theologies In Action: An International Gathering for Friends and Supporters of Sabeel • Monday-Saturday, 2-7 December 2019 • Two Locations: Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Palestine
Learn more about all these EVENTS
Engaging in responsible tourism is vital when visiting Israel/Palestine. In addition to seeing biblical and historical sites, learn about the current realities on the ground and engage with Israelis and Palestinians who are working for a just peace. Come home with a better understanding and equipped to be an effective peacemaker. Learn more and see resources for Responsible Tourism. See recommended upcoming trips with groups such as Friends of Sabeel, Eyewitness Palestine, Christian Peacemaker Teams and more.
Every week, Christians around the world join in prayer with Palestinian Christians, through the Wave of Prayer from Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. Below are recent prayers and news bites from Sabeel. Click on any item, to see it at Sabeel’s website.
