Hi,
This Sunday during the Congregational Meeting we will vote, as a
congregation, whether or not to endorse a Resolution being considered at
the Mennonite Church USA Convention this summer: "Seeking Peace in Israel
and Palestine."
I put together what I believe is a balanced overview of the Resolution's
prominent points. There are links to some materials. A great resource is
the Mennonite Palestine Israel Network <https://mennopin.org/>. I have also
attached a copy of this if, like me, you prefer reading from paper.
Michael
*Endorsement by the Austin Mennonite Church of the Resolution Titled:*
* “Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine”*
At the Mennonite Church USA convention in 2017 delegates will vote on
whether to adopt the Resolution titled *Seeking Peace in Israel and
Palestine
<http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/seeking-peace-israel-palestine/>.*
[1]
The Resolution seeks to speak in a distinctively Mennonite voice in the
context of Israel and Palestine, embracing a restorative justice framework
by recognizing (*i*) the difficult history of Israel and Palestine along
with their legitimate needs for security and sovereignty (*ii*) complicity
by the Christian church in not adequately responding to known sufferings.
It both affirms the need to reach out to build stronger relationships with
the Jewish community while also opposing policies of occupation and human
rights abuses pursued by the state of Israel.
The Resolution’s major components are:
1. To learn from, partner with, and pray for Palestinian and Israeli
groups and individuals working for peace with justice.
2. To learn about and understand the present conditions in
Israel-Palestine.
3. To address the erroneous scriptural belief held by some that the
Second Coming of Jesus is dependent upon the gathering of Jews in Biblical
Israel.
4. To advocate against further military and arms sales in the region
and in support of measures to pressure Israel to cease further settlement
construction and annexations of land, respect human rights, end its
occupation of the West Bank, and work for peace in accordance with
international law.
5. To avoid investments in, and purchases from, companies which are
actively participating in, or benefiting from, the military occupation of
Palestinian territories, infringements of human rights, and violation of
international law.
6. Oppose antisemitism and seek right relationships with the Jewish
community.
“The Resolution pursues a ‘two-handed’ approach, both speaking clearly
against any injustice and violence and also extending a hand of
understanding and relationship to all parties. We [the Mennonite Church]
will do both, not making one conditional upon the other, even if pressed to
do so.” (From the draft Resolution
<http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/seeking-peace-israel-palestine/>). It
is not a blanket endorsement of boycotts but calls for a focused boycott
and divestment strategy toward companies that are actively participating
in, or benefiting from, the occupation of the Palestinian territories,
violations of human rights conventions and international legal standards.
The BDS Movement (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) was launched in 2005
by 170 Palestinian civil society organizations calling for economic,
cultural, and academic boycotts of Israel and seeks three ends: an end to
occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, equal rights for the Palestinian
citizens of Israel, and the right of return for displaced refugees.
In 2009 *Kairos Palestine
<https://mcc.org/learn/where/middle-east/palestine-israel/faq>* was issued by
a broad group of Palestinian Christian leaders including Catholic,
Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Evangelicals which described present
suffering and included a call for boycotts.[2] This urgent call for help
from the Christian community is a significant aspect of the present
undertaking by people of faith to seek nonviolent change by boycott and
divestment activities.
“This resolution does not advocate for any particular solution or any
particular vision of statehood. Within both communities there are many
differing ideas on this matter. Both Israeli and Palestinian people desire
to live in safety and freedom and it is ultimately up to them, not
Mennonites, to determine what that will look like.” (From the Resolution)
------------------------------
[1] The Resolution is available at:
http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/seeking-peace-israel-palestine/
The Mennonite Central Committee has a useful resource on-line:
https://mcc.org/learn/where/middle-east/palestine-israel/faq
[2] A study guide for *Kairos Palestine*:
https://mennopin.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/kairos_studyguide_mennopin.pdf
Attachment:
Mennonite Church Resolution on Israel Palestine.doc
Description: MS-Word document
