Ending the Violence Is One Step Toward Liberation: Statement on the Recent Tragedies in Israel/Palestine
Nov 19, 2014 - We unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, whether committed by Israelis, Palestinians, or others, and affirm as people of faith that violence perpetrated against any of God's children is sinful.
We pray, in particular, for an end to the violence that has recently swept through Israel and Palestine. The murder of five people in a Jerusalem synagogue, the shooting of a 10-year-old child in Gaza, the hanging of a bus driver, the stabbings, the car attacks, the naval attacks on fishermen, are all tragedies and must come to an end.
However, we are well aware that if not a single shot were ever fired again, if not one more body prematurely fell from an act of violence, if every militant, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or Druze, forever put down his or her weapon—and nothing else changed—we would still be stuck with unconscionable violations of human rights.
In other words, ending the violence is but one step toward the liberation of Israel/Palestine.
We, therefore, also pray and struggle in solidarity for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territory, an end to the inequality of Jews and Arabs within Israel, and an end to the forced exile of Palestinian refugees.
If you abhor the use of violence as a means to end these injustices, we hope you will join us in responding to the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions. BDS is a set of non-violent tools that are meant to bring about equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency published this guide to boycotting Israeli settlement products.
For a broader boycott campaign, see the Palestinian BDS National Committee’s guide here.
And to contact your Congressional Representative and Senators, urging them to end US support for the violation of human rights in Israel/Palestine click here and here.
In peace, mourning and hope,
Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA)