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Israel/Palestine/Jerusalem
The following reflection was written by the Rev. Victor Makari.
What do the words “Presbyterians do mission in partnership” mean for us in Israel and Palestine? We have a deep concern for peace there. For it is there that our faith began and faithful Christians continue to live and witness to the love of God and the power of the gospel. They are our partners. Together with their Jewish and Muslim neighbors, they are paying a high price for the long Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories and its consequences. We care for their well-being and that of their neighbors.
Who are the Christians of Israel and Palestine, and why do we care about them? They are the continuous descendents of the early band of believers who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus and ever since have given unbroken testimony to his redeeming grace. We might actually consider ourselves in their debt for passing on to us “the faith that was once delivered to the apostles.” As with all Christians, we identify with them and they with us. We rejoice when they rejoice and weep when they weep.
In the context of the political situation in Israel/Palestine, Christians are committed to working for peace with justice, and live by the principles of nonviolence. They are our best hope for reconciliation in that conflict. For, practically speaking, they share the Hebrew Scriptures with their Jewish neighbors and the language, culture, and common social living with their Muslim neighbors. They can build bridges of understanding and peace.
To identify with the Christians, therefore, does not mean that we do not sympathize with their Jewish and Muslim neighbors. Wherever there are victims of violence, whether criminally committed or state inflicted, we identify with the suffering and become a voice for the victims. Our hope in God inspires and energizes us to be a voice for all who suffer, to identify with them in their suffering, and to stand in solidarity with all who are prepared to right the wrong. We share that hope with our fellow Christians in Israel and Palestine; and we work with them for peace with justice — speaking prophetically against injustice and extending the love of Christ to all.
Partners/Ministries
B’Tselem—the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories: Mrs. Jessica Montell, director
Catholic Relief Services: Mr. Thomas Garofalo, country representative
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: Mr. Steve Sosebee, president and CEO
SABEEL Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Jerusalem: Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek, director
Tantur Ecumenical Institute for Advanced Theological Studies: Father Michael McGarry, director
The Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, Gaza: Mrs. Geraldine Shawa, director
The Friends School, Ramallah: Joyce Ajlouni, director
The YMCA Rehabilitation Program, Beit Sahour: Mr. Nader Abu Amsha, director
The East Jerusalem YMCA (Jerusalem, Jericho, Beit Sahour): Judeh N. Majaj, general secretary
The East Jerusalem YWCA: Hanadi Soudah-Younan, national president
Wi’am-Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center: Mr. Zoughbi Zoughbi, director
Mars Elias Educational Institutions: Archbishop Elias Chacour, president
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Timothy White, GAMC
Rev. Tammy Wiens-Sorge, GAMC
Rev. Charles Wiley, GAMC
O God, we ask for justice and reconciliation in this land. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Ps. 122, 145 Ps. 40, 67
Zech. 1:7–17
Rev. 3:7–13; Matt. 24:15–31
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