Israel-Palestine

Church leaders request review of U.S. military aid to Israel

On October 5, fifteen Christian leaders released a letter to members of the U.S. Congress, saying it is their “moral responsibility to question the continuation of unconditional U.S. financial assistance to the government of Israel.” Ron Byler, executive director of Mennonite Central Committee U.S., is one of the signers of the letter. Read the letter.

MCC Peace Office Newsletter

The most recent issue of the Peace Office Newsletter is titled Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: A Question for the Church and explores the call from MCC's partners to wrestle with this challenging topic.

Kairos USA statement released

"The mission of Kairos USA is to mobilize the churches in the United States to respond faithfully and boldly to the situation in Israel and Palestine. In December 2009, the Christians of Palestine brought forth “A Moment of Truth: A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering.” In 2011 and again in 2012, U.S. clergy, theologians and laypersons gathered to write this response to the Palestinian document...." Read more.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: U.S. policy towards Israel-Palestine

The Fall 2010 issue of the Washington Memo including articles, worship resources and a sample letter for advocacy on Israel-Palestine.

Faith reflection

The situation in Israel/Palestine today confronts us with profound theological issues that challenge the roots of our faith.

Our experiences confront us with new questions about our understanding of God and what it means to be peacemakers in this context. Throughout the Bible, God calls the people of Israel to express care for “the other” and the stranger and to work for justice for everyone living on the land. The prophetic tradition repeatedly emphasizes that the people of God are accountable for exercising justice and compassion. The current situation in Israel/Palestine calls us to reject the temptation to reduce God to a tribal god who cares only for the well-being of one people.

The biblical witness testifies that God chose a particular people for the purpose of bringing blessing to “all the families of the nations.” We did not find blessing between peoples in Israel/Palestine. Rather, the situation we encountered impressed upon us the urgency for rediscovering God, as revealed in both the Old Testament and in Jesus, as the One whose compassion and care extends to all people, all of whom have been created in God’s image.

Christians have inflicted horrific suffering upon the Jewish people through the millennia, including the Holocaust. Tragically, Christian anti-Semitism continues. It is reprehensible. It cannot be reconciled with the biblical message, nor is it consistent with our vision of anti-racism.

We renew our commitment to God who disavows human vengeance, calls us to love our enemies and requires us to pursue reconciliation and peacemaking with all people. We understand this to be the essence of God’s nature and healing purpose in the world…

- Excerpted from An Open Letter to Mennonite Church USA Congregations: Becoming Peacemakers in Israel/Palestine, June 2007.