In This Issue
Gearing Up for Orlando
Nominations and Election Process
Resources Now Available in Spanish
Speaking Tour Continues
#Nakba69
Read More
Prayer
Gearing Up for Orlando
We’re continuing to prepare for the Mennonite Church USA convention this summer in Orlando. There’s lots going on! In addition, of course, to delegates voting on the Israel-Palestine resolution, there will be a full slate of Israel-Palestine workshops. MennoPIN is joining with several like-minded groups to sponsor a booth in the exhibit hall.
Wednesday evening there will be a “Come and See” reception, open to anyone wanting to learn more about Israel-Palestine, and Friday evening MennoPIN will hold our biennial working meeting. We hope to see you at all of these events!
Nominations and Election Process
In recent updates, we’ve mentioned that the Steering Committee has gone through some transitions. We’re making one last call for nominations to our Steering Committee. If you are interested, or would like to nominate someone else, please send an email to mennopin@gmail.com noting the name and contact info, congregation, and a brief description of the individual’s interest and qualifications by no later than this Friday May 19. Then, look for an electronic ballot of names in your inbox in early June, and at our meeting in Orlando we’ll introduce the new members of our Steering Committee.
Resources Now Available in Spanish
We’re excited to announce that the Kairos Palestine study guide produced by MennoPIN is now available in Spanish, as well as in English. In addition, the text of the resolution on Israel-Palestine to be considered this summer is available in both Spanish and English.
Speaking Tour Continues
The Jewish and Palestinian Voices for Peace tour wraps up with a few more events later this month, featuring Jonathan Kuttab and local representatives of Jewish Voice for Peace.
#Nakba69
Today, May 15, is remembered by Palestinians all over the world as “Nakba Day.” Nakba is the Arabic word for “catastrophe” and refers to the experience of Palestinians during the 1948 war, during which between 750,000 and 900,000 Palestinians were dispossessed and displaced, and over 500 Palestinian villages were destroyed. Palestinian refugees from the 1948 war, as well as the 1967 war, still wait–many in refugee camps throughout the Middle East–holding out for their right to return. As we remember and advocate for Palestinian refugees’ right to return, check out this new infographic illustrating that return is possible. To learn more, check out the work of organizations like Zochrot, Badil, and De-Colonizer as well as this educational resource from Jewish Voice for Peace.
Read More
Why I Support the Palestinian Right of Return by Rabbi Brant Rosen, who will be joining us at Orlando 2017 this summer.
New U.S. Bill Would Punish Settlement Boycotters.
Palestinians mark 69th ‘Nakba’ anniversary with rallies.
Two new resources on Gaza: Gaza Unlocked and Obliterated Families.
Prayer
“Last week, thousands of people gathered in Nelson Mandela Square in Ramallah to show support for the Palestinian prisoner hunger strikers. Nelson Mandela is viewed internationally as an icon against racism and an advocate for human rights. This week, many Palestinians and Internationals, including Church leaders and activists, plan to join a three day hunger strike as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners’ demands.
Lord, we continue to pray for the steadfastness of the Palestinian prisoners as they hunger for their rightful demands. We also pray for our people not to be led into the temptation of arms and continue the commitment to nonviolent resistance.
Lord in your mercy…”
–From Sabeel’s May 11 Wave of Prayer
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Mennonite Palestine-Israel Network
mennopin@gmail.com | mennopin.org | facebook.com/mennopin | twitter.com/mennopin
Steering Committee:
Tom Harder (Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, Wichita, KS)
Joy Lapp (Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Mt Pleasant, IA)
Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach (Peace Fellowship Church, Washington, DC)
Timothy Seidel (Community Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA)
MennoPIN 