Let us safeguard humanity
April 25, 2026
“We call upon all people of conscience – believers in God from every faith and persons of conviction – to join together in coalitions that safeguard humanity from further descent into the reality of injustice, tyranny and domination.”
“Palestine, Settler Colonialism and an Ecumenical Call to Action,” May 14-16, Winnipeg
Only three weeks remain until faith leaders, scholars, clergy and community activists gather in Winnipeg to reflect, dialogue and strengthen solidarity with Palestinians! Building on a landmark conference in Ottawa in 2025, this event centres Palestinian Christian voices and the call of Kairos Palestine II document – Faith in a Time of Genocide – but it welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds who support justice in Palestine.
Meeting on Treaty One Territory — the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, and Dakota peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation — the conference will also examine the parallel realities of settler colonialism in Palestine and Canada. Participants will explore how these histories intersect, how churches have been implicated, and how justice-oriented alliances can respond faithfully and courageously.
The deadline for registration is May 1. Learn more and register here. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!
CFOS is hiring!
CFOS is seeking a skilled communicator to help us grow the network and impact of Canadian Friends of Sabeel (CFOS) across Canada, while raising awareness of the struggle of Palestinian Christians living under oppression. The Communications & Outreach Coordinator will help implement CFOS’s goals and help build its profile and membership. They will be interested in and have familiarity with realities in Palestine/Israel and possess excellent communication and organizational skills.
This is a 10-hour-per-week contract position with a deadline for submissions of May 15, 2026. More information is available here, Please help us spread the word!
CFOS says No to international war bank
Prime Minister Carney is currently vying for Canada to play a leadership role in a brand new international war bank, the DSRB, with Toronto poised to host the global headquarters. The proposed Defense, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) would provide a steady flow of public and private funds to weapons manufacturers to facilitate a rapid expansion of military production.
CFOS has joined a network of national organizations that strongly oppose this new financial institution. We believe that the new bank will accelerate a global arms race, redirect public money away from urgent social and environmental needs and ultimately foster greater global insecurity. Financing war and its weapons will not bring peace. We say NO to Canada hosting this war bank and to Toronto becoming the site of its headquarters.
More information available here.
Upcoming webinars on Christian Zionism
Christians for a Free Palestine and Rabbis for Ceasefire have partnered to offer a 3-session webinar called “Understanding Christian Zionism” on May 5, 12 and 19. From their different perspectives, a rabbi and a Christian minister examine how Christian Zionism connects with imperialism, settler colonialism, and white Christian nationalism. Imagine a world free from the harm inflicted when religion weds itself to empire! Info and registration here.
News you may have missed
The only Palestinian children’s rights organization – Defense for Children International Palestine (DCI-P) – has formally shut its doors. Designated a terrorist organization and officially proscribed and closed by Israel in August 2023, DCI-P was based near Ramallah, with activities throughout the West Bank. Just last month it issued its final report, detailing that 51 percent of a total of 351 Palestinian children detained in Israeli prisons were being held in administrative detention without charge or trial. This is the highest number recorded since DCI-P began its work in 1991. Details here.
The Freedom Flotilla is on the move again. Civilian boats have been launching from Mediterranean ports—20 from Marseille this month, 39 from Barcelona. This year’s sailing is a joint venture of Freedom Flotilla and the Global Sumud Flotilla. Details on their aims and actions navigate here. Last year, Israel took into custody six Canadians sailing in the Freedom Flotilla, along with over 400 other activists. The Flotilla has been attempting since 2010 to land ships in Gaza to break Israel’s 20-year blockade on Gaza. Focus on the Canadian connection here.
Israel approved the construction of 34 new West Bank settlements recently, bringing the total number approved by the Netanyahu coalition up to 102. Eight of these are in Area B, under joint Israeli-PA administration. Mondoweiss speculates that Israel has accelerated settlements from fear of its window closing if Iran emerges from the current war intact, and Republicans lose the US mid-term elections. It also notes that at least 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since October 2023. Details here and here.
For regular, on-the-ground updates on violent settlement expansion – and heartening local Palestinian vigilance and resistance – stay tuned to Community Peacemaker Teams Palestine. With roots in Mennonite, Quaker, and Church of the Brethren groups, it has evolved into a broad multi-faith network that supports spiritually-centered peacemaking, creative public witness, nonviolent direct action, and protection of human rights. Learn more here.