Tuesday, November 28, 11:00 AM EDT
Israel and Hamas are in a pause in their fighting. Hostages and prisoners are being swapped. A trickle of aid is being allowed into Gaza. While these are good developments, they will not end the bloodshed. A pause is not a ceasefire.
Don't let this pause turn us complacent with our activism. Join us by continuing to call for a ceasefire, using the urgent actions below.
Then join us this Tuesday as we discuss what we can do to carry on the message of the Kairos Palestine document:
Urgent Action - North American Action: Share FOSNA Statement
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA), in conjunction with a diverse coalition of Christian voices who long for justice and peace in Palestine-Israel, issued a statement. In this statement they call for:
An immediate ceasefire by all parties;
The adequate provision of humanitarian aid;
Accountability for the perpetrators and enablers of war crimes, in accordance with international law;
The comprehensive dismantling of the brutal and dehumanizing regime of Israeli apartheid, including its occupation and blockade, with full rights and equality for all living in the Holy Land, and the right of return for all refugees; and,
An end to US military aid to Israel, an end to settler violence and IDF complicity in the West Bank, the release of all Palestinian and Israeli hostages, administrative detainees, and political prisoners, and full compliance with international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
The statement is at https://fosna.good.do/gazahospital/OpenLetter/
Please share it with any Christian body or individual that you know.
Worldwide Action: Share A Pause Is Not a Ceasefire Images
While the pause in fighting and release of hostages have been good news, they are not a ceasefire. We must not be complacent and let Israel go back to indiscriminately killing innocent Gazans.
We have created images that are perfect for sharing on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), or wherever else you like to be social with your media. The first is shared below, but all can be found on our action page. You can also just share our own posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X).
Next Online Gathering - November 28: Week 48 - The Kairos Document
Full information on the gathering is here.
Our guest will be Peter Shambrook of the Balfour Project.
November 29 is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The day was created by the General Assembly in 1977 and commemorates November 29, 1947 when the Assembly adopted Resolution 181 on the partition of Palestine. You can learn more about the day here.
In 1985, theologians around Soweto, South Africa issued the first Kairos Document. Twenty-four years later, theologians in Palestine issued a like-minded document. This week, as the world observes International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Kumi Now community is focusing on spreading the message of the Kairos Palestine Document, bringing Christians and non-Christians together to stand for justice and peace everywhere.
Join us this Tuesday as we discuss what we can do to carry on the message of the Kairos Palestine document:
Kumi Week #48: Kairos Document
Week 48 of Kumi Now is now available on the website. In the midst of apartheid, it was difficult to see a future where apartheid was no more. Yet, in 1985, forward-thinking South African theologians came together to issue the Kairos Document. Its goal was to look critically at the misuse of Christian theology used to justify apartheid, and by doing so then unite Christians to action in order to challenge apartheid. This remarkable example of liberation theology and introspection was a driving force in the Christian reaction to apartheid, and has served as a model for other movements around the world.
Thus, during the 2008–9 assault on Gaza, as Christians were looking for a path towards peace, it was the South African document that led the way. Please read the essay on the Kairos Palestine document along with the “South African response to Kairos Palestine Document: An Easter message from South Africa to Palestine”.
Understanding the Kairos Palestine Document. Just the facts. Quotes from the document...
“Why now? Because today we have reached a dead end in the tragedy of the Palestinian people. The decision-makers content themselves with managing the crisis rather than committing themselves to the serious task of finding a way to resolve it. The hearts of the faithful are filled with pain and with questioning: What is the international community doing? What are the political leaders in Palestine, in Israel and in the Arab world doing? What is the Church doing? The problem is not just a political one. It is a policy in which human beings are destroyed, and this must be of concern to the Church.”
“1.1 “They say: 'Peace, peace' when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). These days, everyone is speaking about peace in the Middle East and the peace process. So far, however, these are simply words; the reality is one of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, deprivation of our freedom and all that results from this situation.”
“1.2 Also part of this reality is the Israeli disregard of international law and international resolutions, as well as the paralysis of the Arab world and the international community in the face of this contempt. Human rights are violated and despite the various reports of local and international human rights' organizations, the injustice continues.”
“3.1 Despite the lack of even a glimmer of positive expectation, our hope remains strong.”
“5.4 Our numbers are few but our message is great and important. Our land is in urgent need of love. Our love is a message to the Muslim and to the Jew, as well as to the world.”
“6.2 In order to understand our reality, we say to the Churches: Come and see. We will fulfill our role to make known to you the truth of our reality, receiving you as pilgrims coming to us to pray, carrying a message of peace, love and reconciliation. You will know the facts and the people of this land, Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
“6.3 We condemn all forms of racism, whether religious or ethnic, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and we call on you to condemn it and oppose it in all its manifestations. At the same time we call on you to say a word of truth and to take a position of truth with regard to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land. As we have already said, we see boycott and disinvestment as tools of non violence for justice, peace and security for all.”
“7. Our word to the international community is to stop the principle of "double standards" and insist on the international resolutions regarding the Palestinian problem with regard to all parties.” Selective application of international law threatens to leave us vulnerable to a law of the jungle. It legitimizes the claims by certain armed groups and states that the international community only understands the logic of force. Therefore, we call for a response to what the civil and religious institutions have proposed, as mentioned earlier: the beginning of a system of economic sanctions and boycott to be applied against Israel. We repeat once again that this is not revenge but rather a serious action in order to reach a just and definitive peace that will put an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories and will guarantee security and peace for all.”
Source: These quotes are all taken from the Kairos Palestine document.
To learn more you can watch the “Kairos Palestine” video and read the Kairos Palestine book Kairos Palestine: Ten Years of Prophetic Voice. And the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a “Kairos Palestine Document Study Guide”. Finally, we have a playlist of related videos on YouTube.
To register for the Online Gathering: Week 48: Kairos Palestine Online Gathering – KUMI NOW
Background info: Week 48: The Kairos Document – KUMI NOW
See the full Kumi Now email for additional info, actions and resources Kumi Now - Week 48: The Kairos Document (sendibm1.com)