Spiritual Activism
Stories of and perspectives from individuals putting their faith in action in their everyday lives.
Interfaith Vigil to End Occupation Calls on U.S. to Impose Cease-Fire
 By Pat and Samir Twair
On July 16th, five days into Israel's blitz on Lebanon, the Interfaith Community United for Justice and Peace convened a meeting of Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Islamic Center of Southern California. Speakers were Rev. Dr. George Regas, Rabbi Leonard Beerman and Dr. Maher Hathout. "We must speak out against violence," Rev. Regas, retired rector of All Saints Episcopal Church of Pasadena, told the audience of 250 concerned citizens. While denouncing the capture of Israeli soldiers by Hamas and Hezbollah, the cleric called on Israel to cease its greatly overproportional actions in Lebanon and Gaza. |
Elias Chacour, Noted Peace Activist, Named Archbishop in Israel
Over the years, Elias Chacour has gone head-to-head with local politicians, Israeli government officials and even leaders of his church who stood in the way of his vision and his projects to better the lives of his people. He has led marches to Jerusalem protesting treatment of Palestinians, faced down Israeli military, stubbornly continued to re-plant uprooted olive trees and to proceed with construction plans for his school despite government refusals for permits. In February that same priest became the first native Palestinian who is also an Israeli citizen to be named the Melkite Catholic archbishop of Israel.
By Patricia Lynn Morrison
A Look at History Encourages Growing Efforts Toward Muslim-Jewish Understanding
Throughout the U.S., dialogue between American Jews and Muslims is increasing. According to The Jerusalem Report, "Both 9/11 and four years of intifada chilled relations between American Jews and Muslims, which had warmed notably during the Oslo period. Now dialogue is showing new signs of life. 'And as the situation in the Middle East improves-which I think it will do now, please God,' says Rabbi David Rosen, director of Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish Committee, 'there will be greater willingness on the part of the Jewish community to take more risks.'"
By Allan C. Brownfeld
Freedom in Our Time
 The next government must not shackle itself by fostering the new myth that unilateralism will solve our problems. We will never be released from the occupation if we do not engage and negotiate with the Palestinians. During Pessah (Passover) this year let us remember that the experience of slavery has created for us a deep consciousness and a passionate commitment to freedom and justice as incorporated in the Torah. We vow to remember that we were once slaves in Egypt and today we can retell our story of liberation. Let us truly become free, free from occupation, free from conflict and free to build peace with our neighbours. by Gershon Baskin |
Talk Is Cheap: 'Dialogue' vs. Divestment In the Struggle for Justice in Palestine
 THE GENERAL Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is the governing body of a Protestant denomination of 2.4 million members, 11,100 congregations and 14,000 ordained and active ministers. At its last meeting in the summer of 2004, already on record opposing the occupation policies of the Israeli government and prodded by a proposal from a local Presbyterian group in Florida, the Presbyterians voted to begin a process to withdraw their investment funds from U.S. corporations that support Israel's occupation.by James M. Wall |
CPT rejoices in the release of our peacemakers
Our hearts are filled with joy today as we heard that Harmeet Singh Sooden, Jim Loney and Norman Kember have been safely released in Baghdad. Christian Peacemaker Teams rejoices with their families and friends at the expectation of their return to their loved ones and community. Together we have endured uncertainty, hope, fear, grief and now joy during the four months since they were abducted in Baghdad.
by Doug Pritchard and Carol Rose (co-directors of Christian Peacemaker Teams)
Sabeel Conference Considers Economic Leverage as Tool to Fight Israeli Occupation
 For decades North American and European churches have composed countless, careful statements on the conflict in Palestine/Israel. Finally, some Christian denominations have crossed the great divide from making statements condemning the occupation to taking action that could result in economic consequences for corporations profiting from it. And the movement is growing. One Haaretz headline called it the "divestment snowball."by Sister Elaine Kelley |
