Palestine: Time for Action - NJPN workshops

Pax Christi (Pat Gaffney) and Kairos Britain (Ann Farr) ran two timely workshops on Palestine at the National Justice and Peace Network Conference last weekend. The following outlines their workshop structure, a vigil for Gaza and follow-up action ideas.

Participants were invited to look at a series of photographs as they came in and to choose the one that challenged them most. Images illustrated the situation in Palestine today: the restriction of movement, the arrest of children by the Israeli military, the demolition of homes. They also showed positive images including families gathered together, of Jews and Palestinians coming together to break the fast on the Mount of Olives and of the rebuilding of homes by an Israeli support group.

The first presentation looked at the context of the conflict in Palestine/Israel: pre 1948; the creation of Israel and subsequent displacement of thousands of Palestinians; refugees living in West Bank and Gaza – no status – fewer resources – no right of return – no compensation. Then the 1967 – 0ccupation; the separation wall/the checkpoints – loss of land – loss of freedom of movement; Israeli settlements’ expansion – illegal but growing in building and population; demolitions in the Jordan Valley – clearing the valley of Palestinians. The Arms Trade – to and from Israel – received attention.

The groups were asked to work in 2s/4s to react to what they had heard and ask questions. There was then a presentation on the work of Kairos Palestine – Kairos Britain. This is a network of individuals, organisations and faith communities formed in response to the Kairos Palestine document, ‘A Moment of Truth’.

The network continues the work of the Christians who met on Iona in May 2012 and issued the Iona call to the Christian communities in Britain and Ireland. It seeks a just and lasting peace in the region based on the realisation of full human and political rights for all, and calls for an end to oppression and injustice.

Participants were given an action planning sheet to write down some actions they wanted to explore further when they left the conference. The sessions ended with a short time of silence to reflect on what was heard and those involved in the conflict – then the Pax Christi multi- faith prayer for peace for said.

Suggested action ideas

Short term

The UK sells £7.9 billion worth of weapons to Israel each year. It also buy weapons and technology from Israel. One of the most important actions is to push for a total embargo on sales of weapons to and from Israel – and to enforce the same with the European Union.

https://secure.waronwant.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1819&ea.campaign.id=24197

And call to reinforce UN Resolution 1860 – calling for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza. The resolution was formed in 2009 and stands today. It was upheld again by the EU on 16 July 2014. There is need to affirm the EUs obligation to uphold humanitarian and international law.

Write / speak to your MP on these issues as a matter of urgency and also email the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our new Secretary of State mailto:Private.office@gsi.gov.uk

Medium term

Support the World Week of Peace for Palestine & Israel, 21 – 27 September. This is an ecumenical week of prayer, action and advocacy for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel. The theme for this year is ‘When did we see you in prison’ with a focus on child prisoners. Materials and liturgical resources are on the Pax Christi website.

Where possible, engage with Jewish and Muslim communities – as is happening in parts of Israel where Jews and Muslims have been coming together to ‘break fast’ on some days during Ramadan. Interfaith dialogue and witness is important – and should also begin to engage in some of the hard questions that relate to peace and justice building in Palestine & Israel.

Long term

Come to the NJPN Conference 2015 with the theme “The things that make for peace”. This will explore the interconnection between issues of poverty, war and the destruction of the environment and how we need to work together on these issues to bring about change.

PRAYER VIGIL

A prayer vigil for Gaza, organised by Pax Christi and Kairos Britain, was held on the Saturday evening at the Swanwick conference. 80 justice and peace activists gathered, in solidarity with thousands around the world, to pray for a peaceful resolution for the people of Palestine.

Prayer

The Sabeel Prayers from Jerusalem were shared, including a plea for the international community to speak out for justice and compliance with international law and human rights:

God of justice and mercy, give the leaders of the world the eyes to see the suffering and pain of your people in Gaza, and inspire them to act against such violence. Now is the time for the international community to rise up and demand that justice is done so that peace may reign.

God of justice and mercy, our people are tired of temporary solutions. We pray that the international community through the UN will have the courage and determination to face the root causes of the problem and bring about a permanent resolution by ending the occupation of Palestine – West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.

For further reading see: 

www.paxchristi.org.uk

www.kairosbritain.org.uk

Kairos Palestine document, ‘A Moment of Truth’. www.kairospalestine.ps/sites/default/Documents/English.pdf

Iona Call to Peace http://amosaicforpeace.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/kairos-palestine-the-iona-call-2012/