Action Items
Things you can do to advocate for a just peace
in Israel & Palestine
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Sign a statement supporting the human rights of children in Palestine, from Action for Palestinian Children, in the UK. Add the endorsemnt of your organization or congregation if possible. Sign it» Things you can do to advocate for a just peace
in Israel & Palestine
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Learn more about Defence for Children International-Palestine and the vital work they do on illegal abuse of Palestinian children.
Learn more »
Sign the United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR) Petition for the UMC to cut financial ties to the Israeli military occupation of Palestine.
learn more, take action »
Sign the JVP divestment petition to TIAA-CREF, one of the largest financial services in the US. Support this nationwide campaign by Jewish Voice for Peace
learn more, take action »
Support the Stolen Beauty Campaign
Boycott Israeli cosmetics company Ahava. Ahava's operations are located in two of Israel's illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian land.
learn more, take action »
Occupation-Free Faith Community Network Learn how your congregation can become part of this network: churches and other faith groups taking a stand for justice in Palestine and Israel.
learn more, take action »
Christian Peacemaker Teams ask you to support the BDS movement (Boycott Divestment Sanctions, and ask for your online response about how and why you support BDS
See their alert »
Learn about BDS »
The time is
always right to
do what is right.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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United Methodist Church
Board of Church & Society,
United Methodist Church
A member of Us Campaign
to end the Israeli Occupation
to end the Israeli Occupation
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Join with United Methodists who are working to save this
historic village surrounded
by settlements. They are
asking Congress to look at
the human rights violations
threatening the survival of
this village.
Sign the petition, learn more
about the village and efforts
to save it! click here »
UMHLTF Supports the Letter to Congress from Fifteen Christian Leaders
Last year, fifteen leaders of Christian churches and organizations - including Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, President of the UMC Council of Bishops - sent a ground-breaking letter to the US Congress. Read it, sign the letter of Thanks to these courageous leaders and see the many responses - pro and con - to their action. Learn more »
Last year, fifteen leaders of Christian churches and organizations - including Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, President of the UMC Council of Bishops - sent a ground-breaking letter to the US Congress. Read it, sign the letter of Thanks to these courageous leaders and see the many responses - pro and con - to their action. Learn more »
The Essentials
To begin learning - or learn more - about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, be sure to look in the menu under "Background." In this column are a few featured items we recommend to help you get started.
"A moment of truth: A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering"
A statement of faith and a call to action - Encourage others to read and discuss this history-making document from the Christians of Palestine. read and download »
Get a good basic overview of the history of the conflict and the issues today. Read an eleven-page history from the Middle East Research & Information Project (MERIP) read it »
Rather than reading you can watch an excellent video that will introduce you to the history and current issues in Palestine/Israel: "Occupation 101, Voices of the Silenced Majority."
The best 90 minutes you could spend to find out what is happening today and the history behind it
watch Occupation 101 online in High Definition >
read about it and order the dvd »
Counter-Rhetoric: Challenging Conventional Wisdom & Reframing the Conflict It would be hard to find a better way to learn what is wrong with the story of the Mid East conflict most Americans have heard, and to get an alternative view, based on international law and historical honesty. From an American-Israeli professor- download it (228K) »
Why are Israeli Settlements
such an important issue?
Watch a very helpful short video from the Presbyterian Church:
click here or photo below
See and use the Steadfast Hope videos and booklet at your church, an excellent resource for a study group. learn more, watch the videos, order the set »
JERUSALEM
Another pivotal issue often in the news, especially East Jerusalem and the replacement of Palestinians by Israelis there.
Whose is it legally? When and how has it changed hands? Who lives there and what has been happening to it over the last few decades? An excellent short study on Jerusalem from AFSC. read it »
Plan a Holy Land event or class at your church using our guide and resources
learn more »
Contact our Task Force for help in planning an event or a class, finding a knowledgable speaker, getting materials you need or any other
help we can provide: info@umhltf.org
such an important issue?
Watch a very helpful short video from the Presbyterian Church:
click here or photo below
See and use the Steadfast Hope videos and booklet at your church, an excellent resource for a study group. learn more, watch the videos, order the set »
JERUSALEM
Another pivotal issue often in the news, especially East Jerusalem and the replacement of Palestinians by Israelis there.
Whose is it legally? When and how has it changed hands? Who lives there and what has been happening to it over the last few decades? An excellent short study on Jerusalem from AFSC. read it »
Plan a Holy Land event or class at your church using our guide and resources
learn more »
help we can provide: info@umhltf.org
Perspectives
Uri Avnery
Excellent,
cutting-edge commentary, from a veteran of the Israeli military and parliament, one of Israel's leading activists for peace. Read it »
Gideon Levy
A great source for news of the Occupation including Levy's insightful commentary on current events.
Read it »
Jim Wall
Editor and publisher of The Christian Century Magazine for 27 years, Wall is a Contributing Editor today. Read his wallwritings, thought-provoking commentary on Israel-Palestine, US Policy, and the challenges facing peace advocates in faith communities. Read it »
Read the personal Easter message from Janet Lahr Lewis, Methodist Liaison in Palestine and Israel Read it »
Excellent,cutting-edge commentary, from a veteran of the Israeli military and parliament, one of Israel's leading activists for peace. Read it »
Gideon Levy
A great source for news of the Occupation including Levy's insightful commentary on current events. Read it »
Jim Wall
Editor and publisher of The Christian Century Magazine for 27 years, Wall is a Contributing Editor today. Read his wallwritings, thought-provoking commentary on Israel-Palestine, US Policy, and the challenges facing peace advocates in faith communities. Read it »Read the personal Easter message from Janet Lahr Lewis, Methodist Liaison in Palestine and Israel Read it »Our vision
The
United Methodists of the Holy Land Task Force envision the day when
Palestine and Israel will become: a land that reflects the highest
ideals of the three Abrahamic faiths, a place where Muslims, Jews, and
Christians achieve reconciliation and live side by side in security and
freedom, an example for the world of peaceful coexistence grounded in
justice and compassion.Read our Mission Statement
In the News
Check here for recent news and commentary on Israel-Palestine: our partners have advocacy news and action alerts, CMEP Bulletins provide a summary of the week's events, IMEU gathers news and analysis from around the world..and more.
_________________________________NEWS FROM PARTNERS
US Campaign
to End the Occupation
is a coalition of over 350 organizations including two General Boards of the UMC, Jewish Voice for Peace, Codepink, our own task force, and many other faith and secular groups across the US.
read their newsblasts and action alerts »
see their major campaigns
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)
is a leading grassroots organization in the US that many United Methodists are working with, including our task force. read their news »
_____________________________________
GENERAL NEWS
on Israel-Palestine
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a coalition of 24 Christian churches and organizations, publishes weekly bulletins that summarize the latest developments concerning the Middle East. Read their bulletins »
IMEU: Institute for Middle East Understanding is a news service for journalists and everyone else, gathering news on Israel-Palestine from across the internet and around the world.
Read their news and analysis »
See also their Fact Sheets - facts behind many of the latest major stories
The Electronic Intifada News, blogs, and more - a good destination for those wanting to know what justice activists around the world are discussing.
read their news and analysis »
__________________________________
ON HUMAN & CIVIL RIGHTS
B'Tselem See reports regarding human rights and violations, in Israel and the occupied territories, from a respected Israeli human rights organization
read their news feed »
The Only Democracy? A JVP-affiliated website, this blog questions the common belief that Israel is a true democracy and reports on the struggle for civil and human rights in Israel and Palestine.
read their news feed »
US Campaign to End the Occupation
is a coalition of over 350 organizations including two General Boards of the UMC, Jewish Voice for Peace, Codepink, our own task force, and many other faith and secular groups across the US.
read their newsblasts and action alerts »
see their major campaigns
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) is a leading grassroots organization in the US that many United Methodists are working with, including our task force. read their news »
_____________________________________
GENERAL NEWS
on Israel-Palestine
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a coalition of 24 Christian churches and organizations, publishes weekly bulletins that summarize the latest developments concerning the Middle East. Read their bulletins »
IMEU: Institute for Middle East Understanding is a news service for journalists and everyone else, gathering news on Israel-Palestine from across the internet and around the world.
Read their news and analysis »
See also their Fact Sheets - facts behind many of the latest major stories
The Electronic Intifada News, blogs, and more - a good destination for those wanting to know what justice activists around the world are discussing.
read their news and analysis »
__________________________________
ON HUMAN & CIVIL RIGHTS
B'Tselem See reports regarding human rights and violations, in Israel and the occupied territories, from a respected Israeli human rights organization
read their news feed »
The Only Democracy? A JVP-affiliated website, this blog questions the common belief that Israel is a true democracy and reports on the struggle for civil and human rights in Israel and Palestine.
read their news feed »
CHURCH NEWS
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
October 2012: Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, Pres. of the UMC Council of Bishops and 14 other Christian leaders send a letter to the US Congress calling for an end to unconditional US military aid to Israel. They ask for Congressional hearings to see if Israel is complying with US laws and policies in its use of that aid. read their letter, then sign a letter of support and thanks to these leaders
read the powerful reactions - pro and con - to their letter to congress
In 2012, the General Conference of the UMC adopted a resolution calling for a boycott of products produced in Israeli settlements.
They also repeated their decades-long opposition to the continuation and expansion of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. Unfortunately, the divestment resolution brought to GC2012 was not adopted. However, the General Conference called for an end to all military aid to the region.
read the resolution: Opposition to Settlements »
read the UMKR response to GC2012 »
In 2011, UMC's California-Pacific Conference adopts its 2nd divestment resolution, same resolution is passed in 6 other conferences
United Methodists in this conference - and six other annual conferences - have said the UMC should not be investing in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. read the resolution and download it »
2010 Israel-Palestine actions at UMC Annual Conferences:
(click here to learn about UMC Annual Conferences and their resolutions)
Northern Illinois votes for their Conference to divest from three corporations that profit from the Occupation read it »
Detroit Conference sends petition to General Conference 2012, calling for the UMC to divest from the Occupation read it »
California-Nevada Conference commends Kairos Palestine Document, stands in solidarity with Christians in Palestine read it »
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NEWS IN OTHER CHURCHES
In 2012, Friends Fiduciary, a national investment service for Quakers, has divested from Caterpillar, Hewlett Packard, and Veolia, due to those corporations' involvement in the Israeli occupation read the news report »
At the 2012 General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church USA supported a boycott of Israeli settlements products read the press release »
2012 has seen the birth of a new ecumenical movement, Kairos USA: "to unify and mobilize American Christians – lay, academic and clergy – to take a prophetic stance for a just peace in Israel and Palestine." visit their website and learn more »
At the 2010 General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church USA said: withhold US aid to Israel until settlement expansion stops
read the news report »
Read a summary of all Presbyterian Church (USA) actions on Israel-Palestine at the 219th General Assembly in 2010 »
In 2010, the Methodist Church of Great Britain voted for a boycott of products from Israeli settlements
read the news report »
read excerpts of the church report »
read the powerful reactions - pro and con - to their letter to congress
In 2012, the General Conference of the UMC adopted a resolution calling for a boycott of products produced in Israeli settlements.
They also repeated their decades-long opposition to the continuation and expansion of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. Unfortunately, the divestment resolution brought to GC2012 was not adopted. However, the General Conference called for an end to all military aid to the region.
read the resolution: Opposition to Settlements »
read the UMKR response to GC2012 »
In 2011, UMC's California-Pacific Conference adopts its 2nd divestment resolution, same resolution is passed in 6 other conferences
United Methodists in this conference - and six other annual conferences - have said the UMC should not be investing in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. read the resolution and download it »
2010 Israel-Palestine actions at UMC Annual Conferences:
(click here to learn about UMC Annual Conferences and their resolutions)
Northern Illinois votes for their Conference to divest from three corporations that profit from the Occupation read it »
Detroit Conference sends petition to General Conference 2012, calling for the UMC to divest from the Occupation read it »
California-Nevada Conference commends Kairos Palestine Document, stands in solidarity with Christians in Palestine read it »
___________________
NEWS IN OTHER CHURCHES
In 2012, Friends Fiduciary, a national investment service for Quakers, has divested from Caterpillar, Hewlett Packard, and Veolia, due to those corporations' involvement in the Israeli occupation read the news report »
At the 2012 General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church USA supported a boycott of Israeli settlements products read the press release »
2012 has seen the birth of a new ecumenical movement, Kairos USA: "to unify and mobilize American Christians – lay, academic and clergy – to take a prophetic stance for a just peace in Israel and Palestine." visit their website and learn more »
At the 2010 General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church USA said: withhold US aid to Israel until settlement expansion stops
read the news report »
Read a summary of all Presbyterian Church (USA) actions on Israel-Palestine at the 219th General Assembly in 2010 »
In 2010, the Methodist Church of Great Britain voted for a boycott of products from Israeli settlements
read the news report »
read excerpts of the church report »
Noteworthy
Special items and recently added features. If you don't have time to browse our entire website, find some great highlights here.
"The Two-State Illusion"
from the front page of the New York Times Sunday Review by
Ian S. Lustnick
This September 2014 editorial has made waves around the world. Prof. Lustnick provides an intelligent overview of the peace process and some cogent suggestions about what needs to happen now and what the future might hold. read it »
An American Rabbi speaks out on Israel-Palestine, support for divestment and boycott and more! Read an excerpt of his book »Brant Rosen is co-chair of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council and a congregational rabbi at Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston IL. A long-time human rights advocate, and a contributor to the Chigago Tribune, Huffington Post, and other news outlets, in 2010 Rabbi Rosen was awarded the “Inspiration for Hope Award” by American Friends Service Committee for his activism for peace and justice in the Middle East. Read an excerpt of his book, "Wrestling in the Dark" »
Change without Progress in the Middle East by Chas Freeman
Insightful, cutting-edge analysis of US Middle East policy, in a keynote address to policy-makers by Charles W. Freeman, former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. read it »
Why I Refuse by Moriel Rothman
A heartfelt, profound statement from one young man in the growing ranks of Israeli "Refuseniks." Rothman received more than one prison sentence for refusing to serve in the Israeli military and help to enforce the Occupation. Read his reasons choosing prison over military service. read it »
The US as Israel's Enabler in the Middle East by Kathleen Christison, former CIA political analyst"...Israel is at the center of virtually every move the United States makes in the region. There has long been a taboo on talking about these realities....People do not mention Israel because they might be called anti-Semitic, they might be attacked as “singling out” Israel for criticism; the media fail to discuss Israel and what it does around the Middle East and, most directly, to the Palestinians.... Congressmen will not endanger campaign funds by talking honestly about Israel. And so Israel is taken off everyone’s radar screen." Read the article »
Apartheid today?Are there people still suffering under an apartheid government today? The South African government funded an investigation by an international team of legal analysts. Read their conclusions: a vivid snapshot of what the 45-year-old Israeli occupation has become. An excellent and easy-to-read summary from ICAHD-USA: read the summary »
Why Divestment? And Why Now?
David Wildman, Exec. Secretary for Human Rights, Racial and Global Justice (UMC) wrote this prophetic article several years ago; every part of it is even more relevant today. The history of divestment advocacy, the moral imperative for churches to participate - and the top ten arguments against it! read it »
Letters and Statements of Support for Divestment
See what many Israelis and Americans in the Jewish community had to say when Berkeley students advocated for divestment
read it »
Read the support for United Methodist divestment efforts
read it »
Archbishop Desmond Tutu's simple and profound op-ed on the same subject read it »Goldstone's Legacy for Israel
by Naomi KleinAward-winning journalist describes the irrefutable integrity of The Goldstone Report (the findings of the UN Commission), and the reason for the uproar it caused. read it »
Israel's Greatest Loss: Its Moral Imagination by Henry Siegman
A former leader in the US Israel Lobby finds Israel's current behavior reminiscent of Nazi practices.
read it »
Jewish American author speaks about his awakening to the plight of the Palestinians, Israel's role in their oppression, and the troubled relationship between Jews and Christians in the US. Watch this excellent short video with Mark Braverman.
"Ramadan Greetings" from Netanyahu and Obama Administrations by Jeff Halper
Actions of both governments speak louder than words - a succinct overview of reality on the ground in Israel and Palestine Read it »
Where is the Palestinian Gandhi? by Mazin Qumsiyeh
Qumsiyeh answers that question posed by rock star and activist Bono in his article of this same title. Did you know the overwhelming majority of Palestinian resistance has been nonviolent? Excellent, concise review of 130 years. read it »
UMHLTF Supports the Letter to Congress from Fifteen Christian Leaders
October 2013 – Fifteen leaders of Christian churches and organizations - including Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, President of the UMC Council of Bishops - have sent a ground-breaking letter to the US Congress, questioning the wisdom and legality of unconditional US military aid to Israel. They are asking for Congressional hearings, to investigate if that aid is being used in ways that violate US laws and policies, such as human rights violations against the Palestinian people.
Responses to this courageous peacemaking action have been heard around the world.
Sign the Letter of Support and Thanks »
October 2014 - you can still sign the letter!
• Nov 29th: 5200+ signatures on our support letter
• All groups' support letters: 30,000 signatures
- Read many powerful responses - both pro and con - to the 15 Leaders' Letter to Congress, including the article "Interfaith bullying" by Mark Braverman, Program Director of Kairos USA
- Read the letter from thirteen churches and organizations RESPONDING to those Jewish groups who recently cancelled interfaith dialogue sessions with their Christian colleagues, because of the Letter to Congress.
- Read the statement from Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, regarding objections to her co-signing the Letter to Congress. Clarifies that letter to Congress reflects long-held positions of the United Methodist Church.
- INTERFAITH PRESS CONFERENCE ON CAPITOL HILL AT THE METHODIST BUILDING:
"30,000 Signatures Gathered In Support of Churches’ Call to Investigate Unconditional Military Support of Israel"
Read the press release »
Questions, comments, suggestions? Email us at: info@umhltf.org
© Copyright . United Methodists' Holy Land Task Force. All rights reserved.
© Copyright . United Methodists' Holy Land Task Force. All rights reserved.