Call on Congress to dismantle barriers standing in the way of a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis
Join Christians and others around the world in praying, educating, and advocating for a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis this week through the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel. This year’s theme is “Dismantling Barriers.”
Background: Of the numerous barriers standing in the way of a just peace, perhaps the most visible is the separation barrier that Israel is erecting, ostensibly between the West Bank and Israel but in reality cutting deep into occupied Palestinian land. About 85 percent of the barrier is built inside the West Bank, rather than along the internationally-recognized “Green Line.”
The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion in 2004 declaring that the barrier is illegal, that it should be torn down, and that those who have suffered as a consequence of its construction should be compensated. Yet the barrier remains and continues to separate Palestinians from schools, fields, work, and neighbors.
Join with others around the world to say, “Now is the time for Palestinians and Israelis to share a just peace: for freedom from occupation; for equal rights; for the healing of wounded souls.”
Faith reflection: “For [Christ Jesus] is our peace; in his flesh he…has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:14)
Action: Contact your elected officials to urge the dismantling of the barrier built on occupied Palestinian land and the end to all barriers to a just peace.
Kairos Palestine webinar: October 13
Want to learn more about Palestinian Christians? Curious to hear what Kairos Palestine is all about? Join a webinar onThursday, October 13 at 12pm EST to meet and learn from Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, Academic Dean at Bethlehem Bible College. Rev. Munther also serves as one of the pastors at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and director of the influential Christ at the Checkpoint conference. He is the author of From Land to Lands, from Eden to the Renewed Earth: A Christ-Centered Biblical Theology of the Promised Land. Rev. Munther will speak about the Kairos Palestine document, the experience of Christians in Palestine, and what the Palestinian church hopes for from international church bodies. Please join us, and invite your friends and congregants as well! Register online for the webinar.
Alert prepared September 20, 2016 by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, director. Based on an alert by the Faith Forum on Middle East Policy, of which the MCC U.S. Washington Office is a member.