Words are not enough
“As a Canadian of Palestinian heritage and Christian faith, I want to reaffirm our commitment to amplifying the voices of our Palestinian siblings and working towards a future where peace with justice and human rights prevail. CFOS urges all Canadians to contact their Members of Parliament in support of the calls to action by Canadian churches and church-related organizations. Now is the time for action.”
– Rula Odeh, chair of Canadian Friends of Sabeel
“Words are not enough”
On March 5, seven Canadian church denominations and religious organizations, under the leadership of Kairos Canada, jointly issued a forceful ecumenical statement of solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli partners. It urges Canada to impose “political, economic, and diplomatic consequences” on Israel as a result of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, and its “persistent refusal to comply with international law."
The statement additionally calls “for the international community to hold Israel and Hamas accountable for their violations of international law.”
It states the obvious, that President Trump’s proposal for the future of the Gaza Strip “is tantamount to full-scale ethnic cleansing.”
It condemns the increasing “Gazafication” of all of the West Bank by Israeli forces, including armed settlers.
It reaffirms support for the previously issued World Council of Churches statement on the future of Gaza and the Humanitarian Appeal for Gaza by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem.It concludes by urging “church members to share their concerns for human rights, international law, and a just peace in the Middle East with their elected leaders and with those seeking public office.”
Read the full text here. CFOS assisted in drafting this statement, though it is not listed as a signatory, and has posted its official CFOS response here.
Please share the ecumenical statement with your MP and demand action.
Are you an artist?
CFOS is hosting a fundraising art auction in early May. We are looking for donations of art pieces or handicrafts to put up for auction. If you have talent to create something, or possess Palestinian handicrafts (olive wood, ceramics, embroidery) that you are willing to donate, please contact info@friendsofsabeel.ca. More details to come; at this point we are asking for photos of the art to be sent to us by April 13. Palestinian art and work from allies in the spirit of solidarity are most welcome. Thank you for your support!
Stay tuned
On March 2, we hosted a very successful webinar on Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem: Stories of Lament and Sumud—together with our Mennonite friends. The webinar featured stories and reflections from five individuals who participated in the Sabeel Solidarity Pilgrimage in November 2024. We are not circulating the recording of this video, but we are preparing a summary video that we hope to share next time.
A cry from the children of Gaza
Defense for Children International Palestine has produced a 22-minute video, Through a Child’s Eyes: Genocide of the Palestinian People in Gaza. It is a powerful compilation of interviews with injured Gazan children and parents. It premiered on February 25 and you can watch it here, free of charge. A discussion guide is available here.
Some appalling recent figures (as of November 2024) which the video highlights:
Over 17,500 children in Gaza have been killed and over 35,000 are without one or both parents; these numbers include only children registered and with certifiable identification.
658,000 identified children in Gaza have had no opportunity to attend school since October 7, 2023.
95% of schools in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.
The continuing call to repentance
Save the dates May 28–30, 2025 to attend the Palestine, Western Churches, and Settler Colonialism: Palestinian Christian Call for Repentance Conference in Ottawa, at Saint Paul University. Centering Palestinian voices, the conference will “examine the means and methods for effective solidarity, peacemaking, and justice in Palestine” and the “role of ingrained colonial ideologies within the churches.” Speakers will include Shadia Qubti and Jonathan Kuttab. Registration and more information is available here. CFOS has endorsed the conference and expects to participate.
This conference is an ecumenical response to the challenge in “An Open Letter from Palestinian Christians to Western Church Leaders and Theologians,” issued less than two weeks after October 7, 2023. The open letter and its clarion call is still relevant and powerful, and available here. If you haven’t already done so, please add your name to the online open letter of response from Canadian Christians to Palestinian Christians.
Hear our prayer
This week, Sabeel’s Wave of Prayer references mass arrests, accelerating home demolitions, and theft of Palestinian properties across the West Bank. Severe drought induced by climate change is made much more damaging by Israeli “colonial policies that deprive local communities of water access.” Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.