What can YOU do for Palestinian solidarity?
“These commitments [of the World Council of Churches] reflect a theology rooted not in abstract doctrine but in lived solidarity, moral courage, and prophetic witness. They offer a vital lifeline to the Palestinian people, and especially to Palestinian Christians, whose cry for justice has too long gone unheard.” – Kairos Palestine
An opportunity to influence
Enraged, angered, and frustrated? How does one respond after watching in horror the genocide in Gaza and the increased violence and displacement within the West Bank, without first-hand experience on the ground in Palestine or direct contact with Palestinians?
CFOS, in partnership with Sabeel Jerusalem, is inviting you and those in your circle of influence whom you would recommend, to join one of five delegations to Palestine/Israel planned between September 2025 and November 2026. Detailed information about cost and proposed dates of travel is available here.
Please contact the CFOS Planning Team at cfosinfluencer@gmail.com and we will guide you through next steps and answer any questions you might have.
Anglicans for an Arms Embargo
Meeting on June 29, the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) passed a motion calling on the Canadian government to enact a full and immediate arms embargo on Israel and encouraging all Canadian Anglicans to regularly contact their elected representatives and urge them to work towards such an embargo.
Andrea Mann, director of Global Relations for ACC, spoke in support of the motion, which she said is consistent with “our current commitments of solidarity and advocacy toward just peace in Palestine and Israel.” Andrea was a participant in the November 2024 Sabeel Solidarity Pilgrimage to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This is an example of CFOS partners effectively at work.
Fuller coverage of this and other related General Synod actions here.
Presbyterians for BDS
Corey Balsam, National Coordinator of Independent Jewish Voices Canada, delivered an invited address on June 2 to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He outlined the horrendous abuses committed by the Israeli government and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against Palestinians, specifically in Gaza, and urged prompt and concrete action to make peace and justice happen. Following his presentation, the General Assembly voted to put in place measures for boycotting goods and services and financial investments that support the Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territory. Fuller coverage is here.
Attacks on Taybeh
Following increased settler violence, on July 10 three clergy from the only surviving entirely Christian West Bank city of Taybeh issued an update and plea for international partners’ support. The three are: Fr. Daoud Khoury of the Greek Orthodox Church; Fr. Jack-Nobel Abed of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church; and Fr. Bashar Fawadleh of the Latin Catholic Church.
The priests detail a concerted settler attempt at arson against the 5th-century St. George Greek Orthodox Church. They describe how settlers regularly trespass to graze their cattle in the farm fields of Taybeh’s Christian families, intentionally damaging olive trees, family-owned fields, and areas near residential homes—all without deterrence or intervention from the authorities. “The eastern area of Taybeh,” they say, “has effectively become an open target for illegal settlement outposts that expand quietly under military protection. These outposts serve as a base for further assaults on the land and its people."
Among other measures, the priests call for independent visits by international church representatives to monitor and report on the ongoing abuses, of which more than 2000 have occurred in the West Bank since January 2024.
Caritas Canada has republished their letter here and the United Church of Canada has called on its members to take action here. See also Mitri Raheb’s thoughtful July 8 Facebook post in response.
Just as CFOS was preparing this e-bulletin, we learned that on July 17 Israeli forces shelled the compound of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City. Several people were killed and the priest and nine others were wounded. Read the statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem here.
Prophetic words from the World Council of Churches
In late June, the World Council of Churches (WCC) issued a bold statement of “lamentation and outrage as the crisis in Palestine and Israel escalates to levels that flagrantly violate international humanitarian and human rights law as well as the most basic principles of morality.” The WCC calls for naming the reality of apartheid, placing sanctions and other accountability measure on Israel, affirming Palestinian rights and freedoms, and supporting Palestinian Christian churches and communities.
Kairos Palestine has indicated its deep appreciation for the WCC statement and other resolutions, calling them “a turning point in the moral and theological witness of the global church.” Read Kairos Palestine’s full response here.
What is your congregation doing?
Across Canada, congregational groups are meeting to pray, learn, and act for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel. Here is a report of a recent happening at First United Church in Ottawa:
In mid-June, the congregation’s ‘Focus on Palestine’ group hosted an event to bring resources and creativity to the exploration of “What Can I Do?” for Palestinian solidarity. We were about 40 participants, from several communities. Drawing upon what we have all actually undertaken, together we generated lists of those actions—about 75 in six categories. In this evening of shared expertise, insight, and empathy, we deepened our openness to one another and our commitment to Palestinian liberation. To learn more about First United Church’s ‘Focus on Palestine’ group, contact Sandra (sandramary.ballantyne@gmail.com).
We at CFOS would love to profile an action or event that you and your congregation or group have engaged in. By sharing these stories, we can inspire one another and build hope and resilience. Email us at info@friendsofsabeel.ca.
Films to educate and empower
We call our readers’ attention to the Online Film Salon of Voices from the Holy Land. This is a weekly series, each week featuring a curated film followed by panel discussion. Those wishing to view must pre-register; viewing is free for registrants.
The film for Sunday, July 20 is “Rooted in Sumud: Palestinian Nonviolent Resistance.” Make this a regular feature of your week! Voices from the Holy Land is an initiative of ecumenical bodies mostly in the USA, including FOSNA (Friends of Sabeel North America). More information on how to take part is available here.