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Advocacy Groups
Here are a few recommended websites that focus on social justice, Palestine, and the call to justice in North America.
Sabeel
The parent organization of Canadian Friends of Sabeel and others internationally. Centred in the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem.
Mission: ‘To strive towards theological liberation through instilling the Christian faith in the daily lives of those who suffer under occupation, violence, injustice, and discrimination.’
Kumi Now
‘Kumi’ means ‘Rise Up’. A program of Sabeel, Kumi Now offers a weekly on-line seminar focussing on an issue that affects Palestinians in the occupied territories. Its overall controlling themes are inclusivity, justice, and non-violent resistance. Its overall goal is ‘to raise awareness on Palestine and exert pressure on the powerful decision makers of the world to do what is right in order to end the occupation in order to build a just peace’.
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Friends of Sabeel North America
Friends of Sabeel North America is our sister organization based in the US. Together we share a connection with the founders and friends of the Sabeel organization located in Palestine.
Jewish Voice for Peace
This Jewish group unites Jews to stand for peace. As Jews they stand for peace and human dignity for both Jews and Palestinians. JVP provides excellent media and presentations regarding Israel/Palestine.
https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/
United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel
UNJPPI is a grassroots network of United Church of Canada members and adherents, and other friends, responding to the requests from leaders of Palestinian churches outlined in the Kairos Palestine Document (KPD). The KPD describes the long-standing and worsening conditions faced by Palestinians living under the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. (See: https://kairospalestine.ps/index.php/about-kairos/kairos-palestine-document )
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
CJPME’s mission is to enable Canadians of all backgrounds to promote justice, development and peace in the Middle East, and here at home in Canada.
Independent Jewish Voices
IJV Canada is the Canadian arm of the original https://ijv.org.uk/ , first founded in Britain. IJV is a grassroots organization grounded in Jewish tradition that opposes all forms of racism and advocates for justice and peace for all in Israel-Palestine.
Its Vision is a just peace in Israel-Palestine based on principles of equality and human rights.
Defense for Children International – Palestine
DCIP is an independent, local Palestinian child rights organization dedicated to defending and promoting the rights of children living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
https://www.dci-palestine.org/
B’Tselem
The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories strives to end Israel’s occupation, recognizing that this is the only way to achieve a future that ensures human rights, democracy, liberty and equality to all people, Palestinian and Israeli alike, living on the bit of land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. B’Tselem is an independent, non-partisan organization.
Joint Advocacy Initiative
A joint program of the East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine, JAI works for Peace with Justice in Palestine, based on Humanitarian and Christian Values. Its Vision is a Palestine Free of Occupation.
Good Shepherd Collective
A collective of individuals and organizations seeking to change the structures that perpetuate violence in the Holy Land.
https://goodshepherdcollective.org/
Amnesty International
Amnesty is one of the largest human rights organizations out there. They stand for human rights and seek to work for change in many different countries around the world. They have taken a clear stand in regards to the apartheid practices in Israel.
Human Rights Watch
Another organization which covers human rights issues.
https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/n-africa
Associated Religious Denominations
Mennonite Central Committee Canada
MCC promotes a life of peace and non-violence, addressing systemic issues that can lead to violence, with attention to Palestine/Israel. See: https://mcccanada.ca/get-involved/advocacy/campaigns/53-years-occupation-enough
Anglican Church of Canada
The ACC has an active relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem, as members of the worldwide Anglican Communion. See: https://www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces/jerusalem/
United Church of Canada
Long active in initiatives to help bring about a just peace in Palestine. See these pages for examples:
https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/urge-paypal-extend-its-services-palestinians
https://united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/unsettling-goods-choose-peace-palestine-and-israel
https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/call-canada-oppose-us-middle-east-plan
https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/support-united-nations-relief-and-works-agency
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church in the USA maintains an Israel/Palestine Mission Network whose aim is ‘peacemaking through partnerships, education, and advocacy’. Its website among many other resources includes a current News Feed, and a link to a monthly prayer call.
http://new.israelpalestinemissionnetwork.org/
United Methodist Church (USA)
The United Methodist Church through its United Methodist Kairos Response UMKR ‘seeks, through nonviolent means and in partnership with Palestinian Christians, freedom, justice and equality for all Palestinians and Israelis’.
https://www.kairosresponse.org/
American Friends Service Committee
The American Friends Service Committee works to implement ‘international humanitarian and human rights law, promote implementation of Palestinian refugees’ right of return, and call for full equality between Palestinians and Israelis.’
https://www.afsc.org/key-issues/campaign/justice-palestine-and-israel
United Church of Christ (USA)
The United Church of Christ in the USA, in partnership with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), through their organ Global Ministries, maintains the Palestinian Network (USA), a ‘grassroots network of UCC members’ who ‘covenant together in prayer and bold action for a just peace to end the conflict in Palestine/Israel’.
Churches for Middle East Peace
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of 30 national Church communions and organizations in the USA working to encourage U.S. policies that actively promote just, lasting and comprehensive resolutions to conflicts in the Middle East.
UCC Palestine/Israel Network
Other Resources
Kairos Palestine
A Christian Palestinian movement, born out of the Kairos Document, which advocates for ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a just solution to the conflict.
Kairos Canada
Kairos Canada is a Christian organization which seeks to address social justice issues.
Sojourners Magazine
An excellent website and magazine dedicated to politics and social justice. Great coverage of what is going on in the US and other parts of the world. Sojourners is particularly focused on helping Christians live and model justice in the US.
+972 Magazine
An independent, online, non-profit magazine owned and run by a group of Israeli and Palestinian journalists, providing fresh, in-depth reporting and analysis directly from the ground in Israel-Palestine. Committed to human rights, democracy, and freedom of information.
Mondoweiss
Mondoweiss is a news website devoted to covering American foreign policy in the Middle East, chiefly from a Jewish perspective, progressive and anti-Zionist.
Haaretz
Haaretz is a liberal, left-leaning mainstream Israeli print and on-line newspaper, one of the most influential in Israel for its coverage and commentary.
