“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”
–Isaiah 58:6
READ: Reflections on 2026 James Graff Memorial Lecture “From Conscience to Action: How Citizens Become Agents of Change”
On October 7, Canadian Friends of Sabeel hosted its annual James Graff Memorial Lecture, From Conscience to Action: How Citizens Become Agents of Change. Despite the significant challenges of organizing events and advocacy around Palestine, the event was, in the words of CFOS board member Monica Lambton, “an incredible evening of activism and solidarity.”
Featuring Yara Shoufani in conversation with Jeff Nowers and Gerlyn Henry, the event explored how people can move from concern to meaningful action, including through Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) initiatives. Stay tuned for a recording of the event, which will undoubtedly prove to be an invaluable resource to CFOS for the years to come.
COMING SOON: Canadian Friends of Sabeel’s 2026 Art Auction
Canadian Friends of Sabeel’s art auction is just around the corner, and this year’s collection is bringing together Palestinian artistry across generations.
When Hala Khoury, an artist from the Holy Land, passed away, she left behind a lifetime of work: landscapes of the Holy Land, ceramics, hand-painted eggs, icons, and a few pieces she had begun but didn’t have the chance to finish. Hala grew up in occupied Palestine to a family whose presence in the land can be traced as far as the year 1047. The Khoury family of Jerusalem has had generation after generation of Orthodox priests.
With the blessing of Hala’s family, Canadian-Palestinian artist Rana Atie will be hand-painting selected unfinished pieces from Hala’s collection. Known for her expressive visual language and evocative use of colour, Rana will bring her contemporary artistic vision to these unfinished works, creating an intergenerational conversation between the original craftsmanship and her own creative practice.
Speaking on the responsibility of being entrusted with Hala’s unfinished work, Rana says: “As I began working on [the icons] and learning more about Hala herself, I realized that what had been entrusted to me was much more than an unfinished painting. It carried a story that traced back generations.”
We at CFOS extend our profound thanks to Hala’s family, to Rana Atie, and to all those who support Canadian Friends of Sabeel for making this project possible. Stay tuned for more details about this special collection and how you can participate in CFOS’s 2026 art auction in support of justice and peace in Palestine.
READ: Statement from Patriarchs and Head of Churches in Jerusalem on Settler Attacks in Taybeh
On October 19, 2026 the Latin Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem released a statement condemning the recent settler attack on Taybeh residents on October 17, 2026. The incident took place during the village’s olive harvest, and involved masked settlers attacking residents along with foreign diplomats and officials.This is not an isolated incident. The residents of Taybeh have increasingly been the targets of repeated assaults, intimidation, and property damage since October 2023.
Taybeh is the only remaining Christian-majority village in the West Bank. The recent statement issued by the Patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem calls upon the international community to intensify its efforts to protect the people of Taybeh and the West Bank. Read the statement here.
UPDATE: CFOS Open Letter Receives 135 Signatures
Canadian Friends of Sabeel recently circulated an open letter calling on the Canadian government to take concrete action to uphold international law and protect Palestinian human rights. The letter has received 135 signatures and is now on its way to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand.
The letter expresses that CFOS welcomes the Canadian government’s September 2026 announcement that it intends to ban imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. This is a significant step toward ensuring that Canada does not contribute economically to violations of international law.
However, this measure alone is not enough. Canada must match its commitments with action proportionate to the scale and severity of Israel’s ongoing violations of Palestinian rights. Our open letter calls for stronger measures, including broader sanctions, to ensure meaningful accountability.
We are grateful to everyone who signed, shared, and circulated the letter. Thank you for standing with us. With your support, CFOS will continue to press the Canadian government to move beyond limited measures and take concrete action for justice and Palestinian freedom.
SHAME: Canada’s Largest Church Council Remains Silent on Gaza
Although this month marked three years since Israel’s most recent escalation of its genocide in Palestine, Canada’s largest church council–the Canadian Council of Churches–has yet to issue its first statement on the matter. While faith leaders such as the general secretary of the United Church of Canada, the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the executive director of the Mennonite Central Committee of Canada have all publicly condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza, the Canadian Council of Churches–which represents approximately 85% of Christians in Canada–has yet to address the genocide.
As Christians, our faith calls us to speak out against injustice, to stand with the oppressed, and to hold institutions accountable when their silence risks becoming complicity. We urge the Canadian Council of Churches to answer the call of our sisters and brothers in Palestine, who urge us to “challenge the siege imposed on the Christians of the Holy Land.”
Read more about the council’s silence here.
SIGN: Stand with Palestine, Support Petition e-7694
Petition e-7694 calls on Canada to terminate the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFA) and impose broader, concrete economic sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Sponsored by Liberal MP Patrick Weiler, the petition calls upon Canada to bring its trade policy in line with its obligations under international law.
As Christians committed to justice, peace, and solidarity with Palestinians, we encourage CFOS supporters to add their voices to this call to action.
Sign petition e-7694 here.
READ: Reflections on “Voices of our Christian Sisters and Brothers in Palestine"
On October 3, 2026, board members and volunteers from Canadian Friends of Sabeel were honoured to attend “Voices of our Christian Sisters and Brothers in Palestine” at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Hosted by CFOS board member The Rev. Dr. Dorcas Gordon and featuring music by Samia Odeh, original artwork by Rana Atie, and Palestinian food catered by Honey Bee Kitchen, the gathering brought together music, art, and prayer in solidarity with Palestinian Christians.
As Palestinian Christians face ongoing displacement, harassment, and violence in the Holy Land, this event was an important opportunity to renew our commitment to costly solidarity with Palestinians.
UPDATE: Canadian Friends of Sabeel Takes the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge
Canadian Friends of Sabeel has recently taken the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge, joining a growing movement committed to challenging complicity in Israeli apartheid and building communities rooted in justice, equality, and human rights.
The Apartheid-Free Communities initiative invites organizations, congregations, and community groups to examine their relationships, partnerships, and practices and to take concrete steps to end complicity in systems of oppression.
Join us: We encourage congregations, organizations, and community groups across Canada to explore the pledge and consider taking it themselves. Learn more about the initiative here.