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The Bethlehem Call: Here we stand; Stand with us

By Maria Delgado | CPT | December 22, 2011

More than sixty participants from fifteen countries (including CPT Palestine member Maria Delgado) heeded an urgent call by Kairos Palestine  on 4-10 December 2011 as they joined Palestinians in the Kairos for Global Justice encounter in Bethlehem.

The participants gathered to commemorate the second anniversary of the launching in Bethlehem of the document Kairos Palestine: a Moment of Truth by Palestinian Christians. A significant representation from two Asian countries (India and the Philippines), and from South Africa, together with delegates from Jordan and Uruguay, demonstrated solidarity arising from the Global South towards the initiative.

Many churches, Christian and secular movements around the word have endorsed the Kairos document, and have issued responses in support of it.

After listening to the presentations and exchanging ideas in working groups (by regions and by themes), the participants approved a final declaration: The Bethlehem Call: Here we stand; Stand with us.

The document specifies some “non-negotiable” issues and asks Christians and churches to

  • “Reject the silence of the church, lest we be accomplices in crimes against humanity, such as those of apartheid and persecution.
  • “Refuse to be coerced into accepting financial assistance from any church or organisation that supports the Occupation. (…)
  • “Challenge any church which, either directly or indirectly, invests in companies which support the occupation.
  • “Call the Israeli occupation of Palestine a crime and sin.
  • “Reject any argument aimed at convincing Palestinians and the international community that the problems are caused by Muslims rather than the Occupation.
  • “Demand that churches take bold and courageous positions for justice against injustice. We are appalled at the spiritual and institutional cowardice that refuses to take an unequivocal stand for justice.  Equally, victims and perpetrators cannot be put on equal footing in efforts to create illusions of balance.
  • “Confirm our obligation to resist the Occupation in faith, hope and love. We reject calls to cease advocating and practising [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] or any other form of non-violent civil resistance that will end the Occupation.
  • “Resist being party to any church or church-related organisation offering tours to the Holy Lands that do not include an encounter with local Palestinians and express our opposition to such initiatives.
  • “Demand that the Right of Return for all Palestinian refugees be enforced.
  • “Steadfastly uphold the principle of compassion toward the oppressor.”

Read the full Bethlehem Call here.

December 22, 2011 - Posted by | Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism, Solidarity and Activism, Timeless or most popular

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