In this Issue:
In late June, MennoPIN supporters and members of Mennonite Action gathered with 30+ other faith-based organizations as part of the Interfaith Action for Palestine. More than 800 people mobilized online and in-person to disrupt the influence of Christians United for Israel’s (CUFI), the largest pro-Israel lobby in the U.S., during their annual conference in Washington, DC. Actions included a march, multi-faith service, and bannering.
According to the organizers, “nearly 70 IAP participants were arrested for disrupting the lunchtime rush in both the House and Senate cafeterias, shutting down food service with our bodies and our voices. In this act of nonviolent civil disobedience — deeply rooted in our diverse spiritualities — we demanded that our elected officials not listen to CUFI’s calls for further genocide. We proclaimed, “Congress doesn’t eat until Gaza eats,” offered interfaith prayers for food to Gaza, and sang loud with full and heavy hearts.”
In this issue, we hear from one MennoPIN activist’s experience at the recent Interfaith Action for Palestine, and then equip you and your congregations with tools to confront the people and power structures that perpetuate the harmful ideology of Christian Zionism.
It’s Hard to Describe How Much This Picture Means to Me
by Jacob Janzen
The Interfaith Action for Palestine was held here in Washington, DC, June 29-July 1. The Action was timed to coincide with the Christians United For Israel (CUFI) conference. CUFI promotes the Christian Zionism ideology we believe to be a major root cause of the perpetual conflict between the Middle East and the Western world.
It’s hard for me to watch a group of people doing what they think will make the world a better place, when I believe it is making things far worse. This is especially true when I consider them to be much like myself. Their position on the matter now is pretty much where mine was, before I started studying and learning about the issue.
Because the IAP event didn’t start until the afternoon, I decided to spend Sunday morning at the hotel where the CUFI event was being held. I thought maybe there would be more of a difference made by interacting with people I oppose, instead of spending more time with like-minded people.
As I made my way to the hotel, I saw a lot of cop cars. Ha! I thought. They are scared. We are more brave than they are because we don’t hide behind security forces. When I got to the door, a couple of guys asked for my badge.
Me: “I don’t have one.”
Door Guard: “There is a special event here, and you need one to get in.”
Me: “I’m meeting a loved one here.” (This is true, given that I love everyone, including people I haven’t met yet.)
Door Guard: “Are they guests at the hotel?”
Me: “Yes.”
Door Guard: “Okay, go ahead. Just know that you might be asked for a badge.”
Impressed with myself for my clever half-truth, I started to worry how I would defend it if someone were to challenge me on it. I walked through the hotel lobby and saw a man in uniform, with a long gun. And I remembered the Israeli diplomats that had been killed nearby, just five weeks earlier. I realized just how scared I was, and my opposition’s fear (which I had mocked minutes earlier) seemed entirely justified.
I bought an overpriced drink from the café, and sat in a lobby chair listening to my heart pound. I thought about what a powerful emotion fear is, and how scared both Israelis and Palestinians must be, far beyond anything I had ever known. I snapped this picture, and sent it to family to let them know I was okay.
As time passed my nerves calmed, and I went about looking for someone to talk to. I
found a guy with an Israeli flag on his shirt, sitting at a high-top table by himself.
Me: “May I sit?”
Fred: “Oh sure. Are you here for the CUFI conference?”
Me: “Sort of, but not exactly. I think CUFI is promoting a horribly destructive ideology.”
What followed was an exchange of mostly the same old talking points, including some anticipated/presumed (he brought up Apartheid, not me).
I listed out several books that formed my understanding of the conflict, and asked him to suggest some for me. He didn’t reference any books, but asked what I thought Israel ought to do. I suggested that they pass a civil rights bill similar to what we had here in the United States, something that would provide equal rights to all persons in the land under military control.
The alarm to catch my bus went off, just as Fred was excusing himself from the conversation that I think each of us were both happy to let go of. It was a cordial veneer over vehement disagreement. I made my way to the IAP event, and was greeted at the door with a much-needed hug from Jonathan Nahar.
At first, I didn’t hear much about how Monday and Tuesday went. But imagine my elation when I saw this photo:
What is Christian Zionism and why is it so harmful?
Click below to watch this informative nine-minute video entitled Christian Zionism, Deconstructed by @DonnellWrites
Take a Stand Against Christian Zionism: Tools and Opportunities
Join Christians for a Free Palestine’s
July Community Call on Thursday, July 17
8-9:30 pm EST
We’ll hear a report back from the Interfaith Action for Palestine, and share about next steps to build on the momentum of our efforts to challenge Christian Zionism and advocate for a free Palestine.
For a great primer on the historical and theological background of Christian Zionism, look no further than Friends of Sabeel North America’s Toolkit for Countering Christian Zionism. This toolkit contains audio and visual libraries, links to curriculum for Sunday School classes or study groups, conversation tips, frequently asked questions, and more.
Recently launched, the Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism (ISCZ) is offering a free a free download of the first volume of their Journal for the Study of Christian Zionism.
Christian Zionism: An Anabaptist Response
Did you know?
MennoPIN has compiled a number of resources for you on Christian Zionism on our website, including a printable tri-fold brochure for distribution amongst your friends and family.
You can visit our website here.
Mennonite Palestine Israel Network
MennoPIN keeps you informed about Palestine/Israel through our monthly update, special alerts, calls to action, important resources and tour possibilities, all from an Anabaptist perspective. To find out more, please visit our website at www.mennopin.org
Feedback, responses, and suggestions for future updates can be submitted to info@mennopin.org
Steering Committee
Bob Atchison (Manhattan Mennonite Church, Manhattan, KS)
Lydia Brenneman (Lima Mennonite Church, Lima, OH)
Dave Janzen (Fellowship of Hope, Elkhart, IN)
Michael George (Landisville Mennonite Church, PA)
Jonathan Kuttab (Palestinian lawyer and human rights activist, Manheim, PA)
Dorothy Jean Weaver (Community Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, VA)
Zachary Murray (Mennonite Central Committee, Washington, DC)
Adam Ramer (Co-coordinator of Mennonite Action, New York, NY)
David Bluford (Rainbow Mennonite Church, Kansas City, KS)
Gretchen M (Philadelphia, PA)
MennoPIN 