In a time of Genocide
“You can’t understand what it means to us when you come to us in this hard time.” – Retired Bishop Munib Younan to international pilgrims.
Sabeel Solidarity Pilgrimage
In this exceptionally violent and unpredictable year in Palestine, instead of its planned conference, Sabeel Jerusalem organized a Solidarity Pilgrimage. This took place November 17-21. A total of 49 pilgrims gathered, from the UK, the USA, and about 15 participants from Canada, representing Mennonite, United Church, Presbyterian, Anglican and Quaker faiths.
The schedule was dense and intense. Each day we journeyed to sites in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to meet a wide array of Palestinians—students, artists, activists, academics, church and community leaders, UN workers, farmers displaced or at threat of displacement, families of prisoners—to hear their stories of how the state-sanctioned ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by Israelis has directly damaged their lives, and how so many are responding with such resilience. Most days, military blockades and closed checkpoints meant delays, detours, and constantly re-jigged itineraries—a glimpse of what Palestinians confront daily. But we managed to spend time in Bethlehem, Jericho, Nablus, Ramallah, Hebron and the South Hebron hills. At Sderot in Israel, near the border with Gaza, we were able only to stare across ”no man’s land” and imagine the ongoing devastation there.
A pre-conference tour, November 10-17, took pilgrims to famous Holy Land sites—Temple Mount, Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Church of the Nativity, the Mount of Olives and more. Sites that at this time of year normally would be crowded with international visitors, but for the second Christmas season in a row are deserted—shops and restaurants shuttered. The economy decimated, the people despondent but persistently hopeful. Time and again, Palestinians thanked the pilgrims for their visit and accompaniment, all the more important at such a desperate time.
The theme of the pilgrimage was “Come and See. Go and Tell.” If you’re fortunate, perhaps one of these returned pilgrims will be sharing their stories at a venue near you.
A few images from the pilgrimage, courtesy of Dan Epp-Tiessen.
If you wish to join a Solidarity tour with Sabeel please contact us at: executive-director@friendsofsabeel.ca
“In a Time of Genocide: A Palestinian Solidarity Pilgrimage”
Bill Butt, an experienced writer and volunteer with CFOS’ Communications Committee, participated in Sabeel’s Solidarity Pilgrimage. Each day of the journey, he reflected on what he saw, heard and experienced. Read his poignant writings on the blog, “In a Time of Genocide: A Palestinian Solidarity Pilgrimage.” And stay tuned for additional reflections from other pilgrims in the coming weeks.
Advent and Christmas with Sumud
Palestinians speak about Sumud as the spirit of steadfastness and perseverance that enables them to continue to exist and to resist the realities of occupation, oppression -- and now genocide. We at CFOS seek to amplify the voice of Christian Palestinians and to embody that same spirit of Sumud in our ministry of solidarity. Read a series of reflections on Sumud and our work over the past year. We invite your donations to help us continue our work.
Remember the Children
As we ponder the Advent of the Child, the Prince of Peace, we do well to remember the children in Palestine. Over 17,500 children have been killed in Gaza in the last year. You can find extremely articulate and moving addresses from World Children’s Day (November 20) by some of the Gazan children who still survive, in a short video here.
A Sin Against Humanity and God
Canadian churches, theologians and educational institutions must repent for their long-standing indifference to Palestinians’ suffering and their complicity in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians. This is the argument of a recent critical article by academics Jane Barter and Michael Andreas, entitled “A Sin Against Humanity and God: the Genocide of the Palestinian People and the Churches’ Silence,” in the Toronto School of Theology Journal. The article urges churches and their institutions to investigate and repent of this indifference and complicity.
One of the authors is a member of Sabeel Jerusalem’s “Seminaries Project,” a project designed to invite faculty and doctoral students from Canadian seminaries to visit Palestine, learn about Palestinian theology and use its resources in their teaching and personal research.
CFOS supporters without access to a university library may read this important article here. Those with access to a library are encouraged to download through the Toronto School of Theology Journal.
For Advent and Christmas
Our allies at United Network for a Just Peace in Palestine Israel have prepared a thoughtful, poignant Advent Candle-Lighting resource, available as a pdf download here. It includes text, music, and prayer.
Throughout the year, CFOS encourages “purchasing for Palestine” to extend solidarity and economic support to Palestinians who struggle to earn an income. There is still time to order Palestinian olive oil and other gifts for Christmas from Zatoun in Toronto. If you wish to order wood carvings and other Palestinian products from a reputable Canadian distributor, please contact Carol from Oliviao through email carolfarahca@gmail.com or by phone at 613-882-6622.