Resources for peace in Gaza

Earlier this week, I wrote in my blog about how the American bishops have called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Today, by way of Pax Christi USA, I offer the following resources for prayer, study and action to stop the violence in Gaza. They include:

    - Pax Christi USA official statement on the violence in the Middle East;
    - A catalog of resources from across the Pax Christi International network;
    - Middle East Notes on Israel-Palestine from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns;
    - Third Thursday for Israel-Palestine actions from the Faith Forum on Middle East Policy;
    - A Prayer for Peace and an End to Violence, by Jim Hug, S.J;.
    - A Muslim-Jewish-Christian Prayer for Peace Prayer Card;
    - The Holy Land Principles – A powerful tool for justice and peace, by Tony Magliano;
    - Other articles, resources on Israel-Palestine.

Bishops call for ceasefire

America’s bishops have reiterated Pope Francis’ call for a ceasefire and peace between Israel and Hamas.

In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, said that the United States should seek an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, provide humanitarian relief to the vulnerable people of Gaza, and return to the challenge of pursuing a just and lasting peace.

Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, wrote, “Israelis should not have to live in fear of Hamas’ indiscriminate rocket attacks on civilian areas. At the same time, Palestinians should not have to live in fear for their lives from air and ground attacks or to suffer the humiliations of occupation.”

He noted that Catholic Relief Services has had to suspend it relief efforts in Gaza because of the fighting.

The full text of the letter is here

More information on the U.S. bishops’ advocacy on Israeli-Palestinian peace is available here..

Save the date: Pathways to Peace

In March, three Israeli Defense Force (IDF) veterans will be in town to present their perspectives on the impact of the Israeli military presence in the West Bank on Israel’s welfare and how U.S and Israeli policies should be changed to facilitate a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From the news release:

The three IDF veterans, Hadas Cohen, Amir Nathan and Noam Wiener will discuss their experiences in the Israeli military and their vision for Israel’s path to peace. Following this discussion, the group will answer questions from the audience.

This program will be offered twice in the Greater Albany area,: at 7:30 PM on Saturday March 10th at Congregation Berith Shalom (167 Third St. Troy, N) and at 1:30 PM on Sunday March 11th at the Golub Center (184 Washington Ave. Ext. Albany NY). Media coverage is welcome.

Between the veterans, they have served in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Lebanese border and throughout Israel. They also have professional and academic backgrounds in political science, international law and human rights issues. The combination of these experiences gives them a unique perspective in challenging conventional understandings of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its prospects for resolution.

J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans fighting for the future of Israel as the democratic homeland of the Jewish people. We believe that Israel’s Jewish and democratic character depend on a two-state solution, resulting in a Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security.

J Street advocates forcefully in the policy process, in Congress, in the media, and in the Jewish community to make sure public officials and community leaders clearly see the depth and breadth of support regarding Middle East policy among voters and supporters in their states and districts.

For more information, please call Barbara Dworkin 518-526-0618

Victims in Israel and Paelstine

Speaking of Faith (SOF) is a weekly radio program about religion, spirituality, and large questions of meaning in every aspect of life. This week’s show is especially interesting.

Robi Damelin lost her son David to a Palestinian sniper. Ali Abu Awwad lost his older brother Yousef to an Israeli soldier. But, instead of clinging to traditional ideologies and turning their pain into more violence, they've decided to understand the other side — Israeli and Palestinian — by sharing their pain and their humanity. They tell of a gathering network of survivors who share their grief, their stories of loved ones, and their ideas for lasting peace. They don't want to be right; they want to be honest.

You can learn more here.

Read the first letter Robi wrote to the family of the sniper who killed her son, here, and her letter to a defiant public response by the sniper who killed her son, here.