Our Work
Canadian Friends of Sabeel engages in ongoing programs and short-term projects to fulfill our mission of supporting the Palestinian struggle for justice and freedom and to build a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
Ongoing Programs
CFOS runs several programs that remain active over time.
For more information on our programs, email
info@friendsofsabeel.ca
Our Work
Churches Forum
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Several times a year, CFOS hosts a gathering of representatives of the national churches and church organizations which have work related to Israel and Palestine. These gatherings are an opportunity for sharing information and mutual concerns, as well as engaging in joint advocacy initiatives.
For more information, contact info@friendsofsabeel.ca
James Graff Memorial Lectures
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James Allen Graff (1931-2005) was a professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto for many years. He was also a passionate advocate for Palestinian rights, speaking and writing widely to raise public awareness of the plight of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. In 1984 he established the Near East Cultural and Education Foundation (Necef), which joined with CFOS in 2012. CFOS hosts an annual lectureship in honour of Professor Graff.
Anglican Delegation Program
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This program is a joint initiative with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto and Sabeel Jerusalem. It facilitates the participation of Canadian Anglicans in exposure tours/delegations to Palestine. The Covid-19 pandemic and Israel’s military assault on Gaza created significant obstacles to this program, but we are planning for it to resume in spring 2025.
Authentic Christian Pilgrimage
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CFOS has developed a tool to ensure that Canadian Christian groups visiting the Holy Land do so in a way that meaningfully engages the local Palestinian Christian community, acknowledges Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, and operates in a way that is consistent with international law. The Authentic Christian Pilgrimage tool provides a set of principles for Canadian church or para-church groups to help them plan and implement itineraries for groups visiting the Holy Land. The hope is that all Canadian Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land will experience transformation through such a pilgrimage. Visit the ACP page here.
Current & Recent Projects
Here are some projects Sabeel is currently working on or has completed recently.
For more information on our programs, email info@friendsofsabeel.ca
Our Work
Sabeel Solidarity Pilgrimage, November 2024
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From November 17-21, 2024, Sabeel Jerusalem hosted a Solidarity Pilgrimage. This replaced the international conference that had been planned earlier. Fourteen Canadians participated in this Pilgrimage as a CFOS delegation. Read reflections from participants in our blog, “In a Time of Genocide: A Palestinian Solidarity Pilgrimage.”
Video Series: Encounter the Holy Land
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This video series, produced in 2020 and 2021, features several Palestinian Christian leaders, each offering a brief (8 minute) meditation about faith in the context of occupation and apartheid. The speakers include Rev. Munther Isaac, Jean Zaru, Daoud Nassar, Samia Khoury, Nora Carmi, Rev. Naim Ateek and Rev. Mitri Raheb. Some of the meditations connect with the Christmas or Easter seasons.
Peace Vigil Project
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In the context of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent military onslaught on Gaza, CFOS produced a resource for Canadian congregations and communities to grieve the violence and to pray for peace. The resource describes how to organize a public witness event or peace vigil. Download the Resource at the link above.
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This is a three-year joint project with Sabeel Jerusalem as well as Friends of Sabeel North America. It will bring to East Jerusalem 250 influencers from Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. to acquaint them with the Palestinian identity of Jerusalem, its culture, and its people. The goal is that these influencers will inspire their own networks to promote East Jerusalem as a Palestinian destination and to become advocates for the Palestinian cause.
Influencing Civil Society Project
Our Work
Advocacy Letters
From time to time, CFOS communicates with political leaders and government officials regarding Canada’s policies and practices related to Palestine and Israel. Sometimes we write our own letters; other times we sign joint letters prepared by partners and friends. Here are some recent examples:
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Director General, Canada Revenue Agency
August 8, 2024
CFOS sent this letter encouraging the CRA to publish its decision to revoke the charitable status of the Jewish National Fund Canada in the Canada Gazette as soon as possible. A notice was subsequently published in the Canada Gazette on August 10, 2024.
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Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie
February 5th, 2024
This was a civil society open letter to Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie, urging Canada to stop arms transfers to Israel.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
January 17, 2024
This was a CFOS letter to Prime Minister Trudeau, urging Canada: 1) not to challenge South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice, naming Israel’s military action in Gaza as “genocide,” 2) to place an arms embargo on Israel, and 3) to remove limits to the number of Gazans, with family members in Canada, seeking refuge in Canada.
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Open Letter to Palestinian Christians
December 15, 2023
This was a response prepared by members of CFOS and the Canadian ecumenical comunity as a response to a Palestinian Call for Repentence.
