I, together with my father, Mr. Khalil Al-Halabi, visited one of the oldest churches in the Middle East to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Christian brothers and sisters in Gaza on the occasion of Easter. It was a visit filled with humanity and warmth, as we were received with genuine hospitality that reflects the deep bonds of love and coexistence among the people of this land.
What was most moving and inspiring is that this church has become more than a place of worship, it has transformed into a safe haven, sheltering both Muslim and Christian displaced families who have lost their homes, embodying in the truest sense the unity of pain and hope.
The walls of this church stand as witnesses to profound sacrifices, to those who were martyred within it, Muslims and Christians alike, during the period of genocide in Gaza, writing in their blood a story of unbreakable unity. We also heard from families how the church extended a helping hand, providing food to those under siege and striving to save children from hunger and thirst, an act of humanity that will forever remain etched in memory.
In this spirit, we recall the words of Allah Almighty:
“And you will surely find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant.”
[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 82]
This verse comes alive in such places, where hearts unite before identities, and humanity rises above all divisions.
Wishing our Christian brothers and sisters a blessed Easter, and may this occasion bring hope, peace, and renewed strength. May Gaza always remain a symbol of unity, resilience, and shared humanity.
Abuna [Father] Firas Khoury of the Melkite Catholic Parish in Zababdeh, Northern West Bank, is seeking “friendly parishes and churches with whom [to] establish a twinning relationship.” The women of Abuna Firas’ parish produce olive oil soap for sale in order to raise urgently needed funds for the ongoing life of their parish. Basic information about the sale of the olive oil soap is the following:
–The soap costs $5.00 per bar.
–Orders must total 100 bars or more per order.
–Payment can be made through arrangement with Abuna Firas.
–Shipping will be arranged by Abuna Firas through a shipping company located in Jenin, West Bank.
–Cost of shipping could start at $200 and will rise depending on the size of the order.
Abuna Firas says, “Can you please help me in finding friendly parishes and churches with whom we could establish a twinning relationship? This would greatly support my “living stones.” I am trying to keep hope alive in the midst of our way of the Cross.”
Please consider encouraging one faithful and struggling Christian parish in the Northern West Bank by contacting Abuna Firas and planning a soap drive for your congregation!
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are deeply saddened by the violence and destruction unfolding in our world.
The bombing of Iran and the escalating tensions in the region remind us of the fragile nature of peace and the immense cost of war.
We affirm the sacred dignity of every human life.
We reject hatred and dehumanization that occurs in the name of seeking peace.
We grieve every life lost.
We pray for families who are mourning.
We ask you to protect civilians, children and all who are most vulnerable from further harm.
While nations wrestle with complex political and security concerns, we believe Christ calls us to be agents of reconciliation, truth and peace.
We commit ourselves to pray for wisdom for leaders, protection for the innocent, comfort for those who grieve, and restraint that prevents further bloodshed.
May God’s justice and mercy guide all nations toward lasting peace.
Holy Spirit, bring comfort where there is fear, courage where there is despair, and hope where darkness feels overwhelming.
Amen
Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz prays for lasting peace in response to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that started Feb. 28, 2026, and Iran’s retaliation that have led to the loss of hundreds of lives, including many children. Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz is MC USA’s denominational minister for Peace and Justice. For more than 25 years, she served as the coordinator of Mennonite Central Committee’s Restorative Justice program. She also co-authored “The Little Book of Restorative Discipline for Schools” and “What Will Happen to Me?” Lorraine graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and earned a master’s in Social Work from Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania. She and her husband attend Blossom Hill Mennonite Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
An Opportunity to Get Involved: Join our Steering Committee
Dear Members of MennoPIN,
The term of service of the current Steering Committee of MennoPIN is about to end, and several members, including the Chairperson will not be continuing to serve for a variety of personal reasons. We are looking for new members to join our Steering Committee, and help us as we seek to discern our direction and activities in light of the current situation in Palestine and the robust action-oriented activities of Mennonite Action, which we fully cooperate with and support.
If you are interested, and have the capacity to serve in any capacity with MennoPIN, please contact Lydia Brenneman @ LydiaBrenneman3@gmail.com to indicate your interest and to be invited to the next Steering Committee meeting.
In November, faith-based advocates, theologians, church leaders, and activists from Palestine and around the world gathered in Bethlehem, Palestine to commemorate the 16th Anniversary of Kairos Palestine.
Standing together in prophetic witness and committed action, this year’s conference presented a new Kairos document and call; a renewed theological and moral plea to the global Church at a time when Christianity itself faces the threat of extinction in its land of origin.
The new Kairos Palestine document, A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide, laments the loss of people, the land, and the world’s moral compass. It names the realities that Palestinians are experiencing and insists that others use this vocabulary that describes these realities: settler colonialism, illegal occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide.
We encourage you to take some time this holiday season to read this Palestinian Christian initiative in its entirety and to open your hearts to their appeal for us, as their brothers in sisters in Christ, to join them in costly solidarity.
TONIGHT, Wednesday December 17th at 8 pm EST, Christians for a Free Palestine, Mennonite Action, and others will gather for a time of biblical reflection, action testimony, and ritual to conclude a season of action.
Sabeel Jerusalem invites you to join their online services in Englishtomorrow, December 18, at 11 am EST. Join together in prayer for the specific needs of this region through the Sabeel Wave of Prayer.
Join AFSC’s Action Hour for Palestine this Friday at noon EST featuring Rev. Dr. Munther Issac, Palestinian Christian theologian with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Palestine. He will speak about the experience of Palestinian Christians in this particularly difficult moment. You’ll also get updates from Palestine, be inspired by artists and actions, and call your members of Congress.
“They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.”
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)
I’ve read several books about Israel/Palestine, covering the history, the politics, and the theology behind it. I read a lot of articles and emails from groups focused on the topic. Of all the time and mental energy I spend reading, Israel/Palestine commands a lion share.
It begs the question: Why are you so obsessed with Israel? It is a small country, far from my own. The casualties from the conflict are actually pretty small compared to other modern wars. And they are very small compared to wars of the past.
I think for me the core reason is the DISHONESTY surrounding it. So much of what I’ve learned from reading about it has shown my prior understanding to be false. And now that I have learned the details of the situation, I recognize just how much the rhetoric and the description of events in this country are biased against equal human rights. And my country, the government that represents me, is operating against the principles of Peace and Justice.
In my efforts to be a Peacemaker, I will continue to read and learn and gain as many perspectives as I can on this issue. I would love to reach a point where I feel a stable Peace has been established, and I could move on to other topics. But I doubt that will happen in my lifetime.
I encourage the readers of this email to read more also. Lately I’ve found that studying the modern history is effective in helping shape how people view the situation. Sources abound, including some we share with you below.
Also, as MennoPIN looks toward updating our website with helpful resources, we’d love to hear what book/s have been transformative for you. What book/s have challenged you, changed your perspective, or touched your heart and moved you to take action for peace in Israel/Palestine? Please email us at info@mennopin.org
Upcoming Events, Actions, and Resources
In our September newsletter, we shared with our readers about an opportunity to support the Palestinian Christian community of Zababdeh on the West Bank by purchasing their handmade olive oil soap. We’re pleased to discover that several churches have done so, and encourage more congregations to jump on board. With the holiday season quickly approaching, these soaps would make excellent teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, etc.
Below is an email sent to us recently about West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship’s experience supporting this project:
Good morning. Thank you for sharing the information about Zababdeh parrish, Melkite Catholic church olive oil project.
I corresponded with Abouna Firas Khoury in October and West Philly Mennonite Fellowship purchased soap. Working with Abouna FIras via email was fairly easy as well as figuring out how to purchase the soap. After paying, the soap arrived in a week and was well packaged and all in good condition. We are now selling the soap.
I would encourage other congregations or groups to consider working with the Zababdeh community to support the project. This is an opportunity for mutual aid that is straightforward and fairly simple to implement.
If anyone would like to contact me regarding the project, I am very willing to share what I learned.
Best,
Donna Sharer
Phila, PA
dLsharer@gmail.com
This Advent, Christians for a Free Palestine is mobilizing Christians to join the Boycott Chevron campaign and has created an Advent resource page for 2025 full of what you need to participate.
Two years ago, congregations across the U.S. and Canada rallied together in response to the escalated violence against Palestinians. Mennonites across the nation have been organizing, learning, painting signs, singing, holding vigils, showing up to legislator’s offices, pestering elected officials by phone and email, praying, taking public action, sharing money and resources, and living into our Anabaptist calling, together.
Mennonite Action’s Anniversary Call is an opportunity to reflect, mourn, celebrate, and recommit to the work of justice. Make plans to attend, and share this church bulletin with your congregation!
Join Red Letter Christians’ Book Club on Tuesday, November 25 at 7pm EST with Palestinian theologian Daniel Bannoura and New Testament scholar Dr. Gary Burge to discuss Being Christian after the Desolation of Gaza.
Grab your copy for 40% off using code DESOLATION40 from Wipf & Stock.
And be sure to read Chapter 17 by MennoPIN’s Amy Yoder McGloughlin!
Looking to expand your knowledge on Palestine? Or find something to recommend to a friend who is open to learning more? Check out this topical reading list compiled by two Palestinians in Ramallah.
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)
Reflections on MennoPIN conversations as of Mid-October 2025
by David Janzen
The five-year relationship of Fellowship of Hope of Elkhart IN and other church friends with the Gaza YMCA Board and Leadership has been full of drama, beauty, inspiration and tragedy. We have witnessed the impact of their work with children and their families in addressing social/psychological needs, providing artistic and athletic development, and celebrating holidays including lighting a Christmas tree. Most of the YMCA has now been destroyed, like nearly all Gaza buildings.
Our most recent Zoom meeting on October 14 with Gaza friends came just days after the welcome release of Israeli and Palestinian captives, many of whom were in confinement before the debacle of October 7, 2023. The complication of releasing bodies from both sides appears to be slowing down food and medical supplies so desperately needed. Gunfire is threatening those seeking life-sustaining resources.
As important as this step is, achievement of real peace is far away until Palestinians regain and retain their homes and establish a viable state run by competent leaders. Little was said by those brokering the hostage release of what next steps are required and who will provide the political and financial resources. The continued usurpation of Palestinian land in the West Bank, along with the near-total destruction of Gaza, must be addressed for any stability to be achieved. Until that happens, conflict will erupt again with the dream of a shared, stable land remaining a fantasy. Strong, capable and compassionate leaders are needed and immediate aid provided to stop starvation that is commonplace. The United States should stop providing Israel military resources and work with other countries to save the lives of those suffering.
Our contact persons from Gaza, now living in the US and Egypt, receive occasional news from Gaza residents about their desperate situation, although communication is difficult. Hundreds continue to shelter in two of the churches still standing in Gaza City.
There are other reliable sources to give assistance which can be found online under “Gaza Relief Agencies” including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
May God bless those suffering and all working to stop the violence and find the true path to peace. Please contact your US Senators and Representatives to call for ending the US support of Israeli military used to destroy Gaza and kill innocent people.
Upcoming Events, Actions, and Resources
Some of you may recall that MennoPIN was trying to get the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land screened at MCUSA‘s Convention last summer.Despite our best efforts,we were unsuccessful due to distribution issues discussed in the three-minute video above.
That is why we are so pleased to announce that, for the first time ever, No Other Land will be available to rent or own on October 20, on all major streaming platforms (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube, Kinema, and Gathr).
This incredibly important film is a must-see! Even better, it is brought to you completely independently, so all proceeds will go to the communities of Masafer Yatta on the West Bank. What an opportunity to make an immediate impact!
We encourage you to watch the short announcement video (above) that Israelism and the No Other Land teams put together, and then consider hosting a screening in your community.
Mennonite Action organizers are traveling the country and are inviting you to join them! Share food and worship together and then participate in trainings in grassroots organizing, nonviolent action, and faith-based non-cooperation.
ICE is terrorizing immigrant, Black, brown, and Native communities while the genocide continues against Palestine. What’s the connection? Come and see. Join CFP for their October Community Call focused on the shared struggle of immigration justice and Palestinian freedom.
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)
When Abouna Firas (Or Is It God?) Comes Calling. . .
by Dorothy Jean Weaver
God is in the business of calling. And God doesn’t give up on the first try, or even the second. Just ask Samuel, the young boy lying awake one night in “the temple of the Lord” in Shiloh (1 Sam. 3:1-18). Or ask Peter, taking a noonday prayer siesta on a roof in Jaffa one day (Acts 10:1-48). Me? I was just reading my e-mail in Harrisonburg, as I do every single day.
Sunday, August 17, 2025. The e-mail was extremely brief, just five words long. “Is your email still working?” That was it. No name whatsoever. The sender was, as it appeared, “melkite Catholic” at melkitecatholic@yahoo.com. And the designation below read, “Zababdeh parish, Melkite catholic.” What to make of this strange, brief e-mail? And what to do by way of response? I did indeed have connections, very brief connections from long years ago, with Zababdeh in the northern West Bank. So this could potentially be genuine. But this could just as easily be an e-mail phishing expedition. The extreme brevity and total non-specificity of the e-mail roused my suspicions immediately. It sounded exactly like a hoax. I didn’t respond.
Monday, August 18, 2025. A second e-mail, not quite so brief and this time with a name attached. “Did you receive my last message? Hoping to get a reply so I know. Regards, abouna firas khoury” This now began to have the feel of a genuine e-mail. I have met Abouna (read “Father” as in priest) Firas Khoury twice in my life, once in Zababdeh years ago on a trip up through the northern West Bank and once in Bethlehem. But what was this message about? I still didn’t know. And I still didn’t respond.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025. A third e-mail, this time with a photo of Abouna Firas standing by a bell tower. And this time there was a brief but substantive message: “After a long time of work and effort, we have built a new bell tower. This bell will ring for peace. For me, building the bell tower is a confirmation of the fulfillment of God’s promises with us.”
My response: “Thanks for your note! I am grateful that you could build a new bell tower. Blessings to you all!” And with this I may have thought that I was finished with the e-mails from Abouna Firas.
But I was mistaken. After a fourth e-mail (Wednesday, August 20, 2025), thanking me for my “kind words and blessings” and assuring me that they “always keep [me] in [their] prayers with gratitude for [my] friendship and support,” I finally learned the underlying reason for this intriguing and unanticipated e-mail chain.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025. E-mail number five. “Dear Dorothy Jean, I also want to share with you the situation of our parish during the war—many people have lost their homes. We are making the soaps here and planning to send them abroad. Could we correspond to find out how many parishes and churches would be interested in buying the soaps? Thank you for your love for my ‘living stones’ (our people). With gratitude, Abouna Firas”
Here was the answer. It took multiple tries. But finally Abouna Firas (and God!) had and have my attention. This is a genuine and urgent appeal coming from a Christian Palestinian community in the heart of the West Bank, a region increasingly threatened both by the vicious actions of angry Israeli settlers and the even more ominous calls for total “annexation” of the West Bank by the rightwing Israeli government presently in power.
And this is an appeal to which I can and must respond, as best I can. I may not know Abouna Firas well. But I care deeply about the people of Palestine and their decades-long struggle as people having lived through the Nakba (“Catastrophe”) of 1948 and the ongoing Israeli military Occupation of the West Bank from 1967 to the present day. And I don’t simply care. I also have connections, useful connections—in this case MennoPIN connections—through which to contact the “parishes and churches” which Abouna Firas wants to reach with his own parish’s soap-selling venture.
So I invite you to join with me in responding to Abouna Firas’ call
Your participation in this project of purchasing this parish’s soap will not end the Occupation. It will not initiate a ceasefire in Gaza. It will not change the course of major world events. But your participation in this project will provide hope and material assistance to the people of one Palestinian village, Zababdeh; people living in the midst of deep threat and profound uncertainty at this moment in time and this place in the West Bank. As Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, President of Dar al Kalima University in Bethlehem regularly says, “Hope is what we do.” And with this urgent appeal from Abouna Firas there is “hope” just waiting to be “done.”
Could this be the “call” to your congregation? Could this be the “hope” which your congregation “does”? If it is, please contact Abouna Firas directly for details at melkitecatholic@yahoo.com and engage with the Zababdeh soap-selling project.
Block the Bombs Act
51 House representatives are now supporting the Block the Bombs Act. The bill would proactively block the U.S. government from sending more weapons to Israel in the midst of a genocide.
It is extremely important that Members of Congress hear from their constituents right now that they oppose giving more weapons to Israel. Write your Representative and urge them to sign on to H.R. 3565 (or thank them for doing so) and encourage others to do the same.
Christians and the Complicit Corporations Campaign
On Thursday, September 18 a large coalition of over 25 Christian organizations (including Mennonite Action, Friends of Sabeel North America, American Friends Service Committee, Christians for a Free Palestine, and Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace) launched an economic resistance campaign focused on tech company Palantir and Chevron.
The Complicit Corporations Campaign aims to create economic and political pressure to reduce corporate support for the Israel government’s policies and help shift U.S. policy to end the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank.
Why Chevron?
Per AFSC, Chevron runs natural gas extraction and pipelines off the shore of Palestine/Israel, making it a major partner in Israeli energy apartheid, the military blockade on Gaza, and the illegal exploitation of Palestinian land and resources.
During the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, a movement to boycott Shell Oil for its complicity in apartheid gained worldwide momentum with supporters taking part in gas station pickets and major divestment campaigns from the fossil fuel company.
Inspired by the South African liberation struggle, Palestinians and allies aim to build pressure on Chevron through a coordinated boycott until it no longer conducts business that gravely violates Palestinians’ human rights.
Join the Campaign and Sign Christians for a Free Palestine Pledge by Clicking the Image Below
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)
by Bob Atchison, MennoPIN Steering Committee Chair
July’s MennoCon 2025 in Greensboro, NC (Mennonite Church USA’s biennial convention) offered more seminars addressing peace and justice in Palestine and Israel than any other national convention I’ve attended. No doubt the genocide of Gaza had our attention, but at least nine sessions, maybe more, provided information on a range of topics from Christian Zionism and Nationalism to Antisemitism.
Amy Yoder McGloughlin’s Looking at Scripture Through the Lens of Land was the first seminar I attended. Amy invited us to consider how the locations of biblical storytelling matters and what their connections are to other stories that occurred previously on the same land. Jericho was one example, where the walls came down for both Joshua and Zacchaeus, just in very different ways. Amy also pointed out that indigenous story telling always makes land a character in the story adding another dimension.
Jonathan Brenneman and Drew Strait presented on White Christian Nationalism and Christian Zionism. Sponsored by AMBS and Mennonite Action, the seminar began by naming the 22 months of genocide that had occurred in Gaza and how the United States has spent 18 billion of our 2025 tax dollars on the war. According to Jonathan, 70% of the bombs dropped on Gaza were made in the US. Drew spoke of the dangers of Replacement Theory, which often fuels Christian Nationalism. Drew also provided a great list of books on how to address Christian Nationalism including his own Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Zionism, which I have found very helpful in taking direct oppositional action.
Nick Martin and Reah Clymer from Mennonite Action presented Stories from a Mennonite Social Movement describing the origin stories of Mennonite Action, the strong role of young Mennonites, and how they have become the leaders of this movement.
Hats off to Johnny Rashid and Erica Lea Simka for taking on the challenging presentation, Palestinian Justice and Resisting Antisemitism. Johnny did a good job reviewing Mennonites complicity in the Holocaust which has been presented at previous MennoCons and Erica tried to help us understand the nuances of taking Israel to task for genocide without engaging in antisemitic behavior. There were some heated discussions following this seminar.
Jonathan Kuttab, provided A Faithful Response to Palestine and Israel, calling us to action to respond to the violence and genocide in Gaza. Jonathan called us to faithfully witness and provided information on the apartheid systems and human rights violations Palestinians experience in their daily lives. At one point a young woman broke into tears asking, “but what can I do to make a difference?” Thank God for FOSNA, Mennonite Action, and so many organizations that continue to answer that question.
There were several other presentations worthy of describing but are beyond the scope of this newsletter. The only regret I have about MennoCon 2025 is not inviting Leila, from the Women in Hebron Cooperative, to speak at our MennoPIN/Mennonite Action Reception! The Women in Hebron sold a variety of Palestinian crafts at their booth. Our family came home with a beautifully embroidered Palestinian pillow. The good news is that Leila will be in the US through February and is available to visit congregations to talk about Palestine, and even provide a Palestinian meal! If this is of interest, please contact Amy Yoder McGloughlin at amy.yoder.mcgloughlin@gmail.com
Bob Atchison and Alex Awad at MennoPIN and Mennonite Action’s shared booth
As mass starvation stalks Gaza, aid groups plead for access
by Mennonite Central Committee as published in Anabaptist World
As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organizations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.
As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organizations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes. Exactly two months since the Israeli government-controlled scheme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating, more than 100 organizations are sounding the alarm, urging governments to act: open all land crossings; restore the full flow of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel through a principled, United Nations-led mechanism; end the siege and agree to a ceasefire now.
“Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: Will I eat today?” said one agency representative.
It is quite clear that significant numbers of organizations and individuals all over the world are truly committed to justice in Palestine. From them I hear much genuine yearning for a just peace, as well as outrage at the ongoing genocide. I hear the clear condemnation of Zionism and of the state of Israel, but I rarely hear any antisemitism or hatred towards Jews. In fact some of the most cogent and principled critiques come from Jews, precisely because they see in the policies of the state of Israel a betrayal of their Jewish values and beliefs.
The real task before us is to translate this worldwide outpouring of support for Palestine into concrete actions to alleviate suffering and bring about steps towards a genuine just peace and end to hostilities. The best opportunity for that may be working for compliance with international law and universal principles of human rights, equality and self determination, rather than resorting to power, force and violence.
It is not true that international law does not have mechanisms for enforcement. What is true is that national governments are not willing to employ these mechanisms when it comes to the state of Israel. The crimes against humanity, war crimes, the crime of apartheid and of genocide all carry universal jurisdiction, which means individual countries can try these criminals in their own national courts. Furthermore, individual states who signed the different conventions are required to “ensure compliance” with the provisions of the various treaties and agreements, even when the UN Security Council (hampered by the U.S. veto) fails to act or where international tribunals like the ICJ and the ICC are too slow and timid to prosecute the criminals.
When states fail to act, it becomes the task of ordinary citizens and of civil society to pressure their own governments to act and to carry out their own nonviolent actions in that direction.
The genocide in Gaza continues and authoritarianism is on the rise across the U.S. As these two crises escalate, people of faith are in need of training, tools and frameworks to help us respond to, navigate, and rise to meet this tenuous political moment.
How do we continue to demonstrate for people in Gaza and respond to the growing threat that ICE represents in our communities? What tactics and strategies are most effective in this moment, and how can we draw upon our faith to find the courage to act in an increasingly frightening time?
Mennonite Action invites you to join a 4-week online organizing training series called Fall Term Courage School beginning in early September.
The goal of this training series is to provide Mennonite Action participants with the analysis, courage and concrete skills you need to meet this moment.
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)
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
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.
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.
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 