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Table of Contents Working for a Just and Lasting Peace in Israel and Palestine WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ● HOW YOU CAN HELP Advocacy Packet for Use in Local Congregations Prepared by the General Boards of Church & Society and Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church www.umc-gbcs.org/mideastpeace/ Page | 0 General Boards of Church & Society and Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, 2013 This advocacy packet was created in response to 2004 General Conference Resolution #312 that states “the General Board of Global Ministries, working together with the General Board of Church & Society and interfaith organizations, develop advocacy packets for use in local congregations to promote a just and lasting peace and human rights for all in the region.” Packet created by Tamara Alexander, graduate intern, General Board of Church & Society Update by Katherine Andrews, social justice intern, General Board of Church & Society Cover photo courtesy NASA, “Fires in the Nile Delta” Credit Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/ Page 1 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................... 3 Our Social Principles ....................................................................................... 3 Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation ....................................................... 4 United Methodist Resolutions and Statements ............................................... 5 2012 General Conference Updates .................................................................. 6 Key Websites ................................................................................................... 8 Take Action! .................................................................................................... 11 Pray ......................................................................................................... 12 Give ......................................................................................................... 14 Study ....................................................................................................... 16 Engage .................................................................................................... 18 Advocate ......................................................................................................... 21 Additional Links .............................................................................................24 Appendix Information ....................................................................................26 Fact Sheets Maps Geneva Initiative Myths and Facts Additional Resolutions and Statements .........................................................27 DVDS/Videos ................................................................................................29 Suggested Reading ........................................................................................30 Contacts ..........................................................................................................35 Page 2 Introduction The Gospel of Christ knows no religion but social, no holiness but social holiness. You cannot be holy except as you are engaged in making the world a better place. You do not become holy by keeping yourself pure and clean from the world but by plunging into ministry on behalf of the world's hurting ones. —John Wesley, Methodism’s founder Reports of the ongoing violence and suffering in that we recognize the influence — sometimes Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories are in counterproductive — that U.S. policies and financial the news almost daily. Often the stories lead to more assistance have had on the region. For example, from questions than answers. How did the conflict and 2009 to 2018, the United States is scheduled to give Israel occupation start? Why does the fighting continue? $30 billion in military aid. As citizens and taxpayers, we How can it be resolved? What is the controversy over have a role in the cycle of violence and, as such, a the settlements, the Wall? What is going on in Gaza? responsibility to speak out about injustice. After seeing pictures of families grieving over lost The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be a contentious topic land, homes, and loved ones you may ask, “What can for local churchgoers in the United States. Strong views I possibly do to help?” about the region and misinformation about the current This packet is designed to help answer your questions situation can lead to heated discussions and angry con- about the conflict and provide you with specific frontations. However, discussion is an important first actions you can take to help bring about a just, lasting step toward working for peace. While recognizing that peace with an end to illegal Israeli occupation of disagreements will exist, it is also important to remember Palestinian land. The packet is divided into two that it is not un-American or anti-Semitic to criticize sections. The first section, What You Should Know, government policies or individual actions. On the other contains background information, maps and links to hand, it is important to choose words carefully and not personal testimonies from people in the region, condemn a group based on the actions of a subset of that church statements, and resources for additional study. group. Using terms such as “Israeli government policies” The second section, How You Can Help, provides or “militant launching a rocket attack” can be more detailed advocacy resources for churches and productive than speaking in blanket terms about individuals. “Israelis” or “Palestinians.” The creation of a just peace in the region can be We must view ourselves as advocates for people — for achieved by focusing on principles of justice and those who have to live with the violence and daily human rights. As Christians, it is important that we hardships, for families who are still mourning the loss of work to uphold the human rights of loved ones while longing for peace and stability. By all persons. As U.S. citizens, it is important opening this packet you have already taken the first step toward becoming an advocate for peace. Our Social Principles United Methodist Social Principles provide important guidelines for framing our response to the conflict. Our Social Principles recognize the rights and dignity of every person on earth and our responsibility to help see that these rights are upheld. “As individuals are affirmed by God in their diversity, so are nations and cultures. We recognize that no nation or culture is absolutely just and right in its treatment of its own people, nor is any nation totally without regard for the welfare of its citizens. The Church must regard nations as accountable for unjust treatment of their citizens and others living within their borders. While recognizing valid differences in culture and political philosophy, we stand for justice and peace in every nation.”1 We urge the major political powers to use their nonviolent power to maximize the political, social, and economic self-determination of other nations … We urge Christians in every society to encourage the governments under which they live and the economic entities within their societies to aid and work for the development of more just economic orders.”2 (For more information about United Methodist Social Principles, see http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1686.) Page 3 United Methodist Church Participation in the Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation On October 17, 2000, the General Board of Global Since its formation in October 2001, the U.S. Ministries directors adopted a resolution firmly based Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation has built on human rights and international law calling for an end wider and wider support for human rights for all to the escalating violence and systemic human rights Palestinians and Israelis as something that is non- violations in the occupied Palestinian territories. It negotiable. The U.S. Campaign affirms that ending states in part, “We recognize the current popular military occupation is a necessary precondition for protest is an expression of deep Palestinian frustration a just and lasting peace. Occupation is illegal under over the ongoing disrespect, dehumanization, and international law and must be ended. The denial of their basic human and national rights by an Campaign categorically condemns the targeting of unjust political system.” civilians by anyone. GBGM directors called for several key actions based on The U.S. government rightly condemns Palestinian longstanding United Methodist Social Principles. The attacks on civilians; however, the U.S. continues to call to action urged “Israel to immediately insure provide financial, military and political support for respect for international law” and for the U.S. Israeli attacks on civilians. It is such imbalance that government to support UN involvement of both the the U.S. Campaign, like the United Methodist Security Council and the Human Rights Commission. Church, seeks to end. The GBGM resolution also called for the “U.S. The U.S. Campaign embodies the core values of Government to halt the sale of new armaments to human rights, international law, and involvement Israel; [and for] the international community to ensure of the UN that are all espoused by GBGM that steps are taken to reduce friction, including, the directors, the United Methodist Council of Bishops removal of Israeli forces from occupied Palestinian
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