3rd Thursday Middle East Action Alert: Support Peace through Nonviolence
Ask your Members of Congress to support a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by sending an e-mail or making a phone call to your Senator and Representative.
Note: In the coming year Global Ministries, along with other denominations and organizations, will be sending out action alerts every 3rd Thursday of the month so that members of Congress hear consistently that their constituents support a just peace in Palestine-Israel. This is the first of these monthly alerts.
Background
Although the media tends to focus on violent incidents when they occur, many Palestinians are working nonviolently against the Israeli military occupation. These nonviolent actions occur daily, with little fanfare, and sometimes receive support from Israeli peace activists. Many Global Ministries partners in Israel/Palestine are working every day to support efforts of non-violent peacemaking as well as to offer hope for those who have been affected by the conflict in a variety of ways–be they Palestinian refugees, unemployed, injured (physically or psychologically), or who simply wish to enjoy the fullness of life through art, music, education, and community life.
Many Palestinians are working nonviolently against the Israeli military occupation by attempting to pursue their aspirations and hopes, as well as through non-violent protests and acts of resistence. It is important to let congressional offices know about this courageous work, carried out in a very difficult environment, for a just peace in the region.
Faith reflection
“As a Christian pastor building peace for us means resisting the occupation through nonviolence. How do you follow the way of Jesus Christ? The way of Jesus is the way of nonviolence.” –Canon Naim Ateek, an Anglican priest and director of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, a Palestinian Christian organization. Sabeel is a Global Ministries partner. Read more.
Action
Ask your Members of Congress to support a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by sending an e-mail or making a phone call to your Senator and Representative.
Please feel free to use this sample letter:
I urge you to support a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Although their actions receive little attention in the U.S., it is important that you know that many Palestinians are working nonviolently against the Israeli military occupation that is illegal in the eyes of the international community. In many cases their actions are supported by Israeli peace activists.
Congress should support nonviolent peace activists by lending their weight to a just peace that provides security for all peoples in the region.
If any peace agreement is to succeed, it must address core concerns of the conflict, including:
- a commitment to respect human rights;
- an end to the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem;
- a shared Jerusalem;
- an end to discriminatory confiscation and distribution of land and water resources and the dismantling of the illegal separation wall; and
- justice and security for Palestinian refugees.
Thank you for hearing my concerns.