PCAP NEWS
Letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken
June 15, 2021
President Joseph Biden, The White House
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Department of State
Dear Mr. President and the Honorable Antony Blinken,
We, the board members of Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP), an interdenominational network of Palestinian American Christians committed to working for peace in the Holy Land, are writing to you at an urgent time for leadership regarding Palestine-Israel. As people of goodwill called by our faith to be peacemakers, we are continually seeking opportunities to transform this asymmetric conflict which has blighted the lives of so many. We are heart-broken and incensed to have witnessed the painful events in Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and other parts of the land during the last few weeks. Although violence seems ever present in the land, we are enjoined by Christ’s example of nonviolence and agape, and we are firm adherents of nonviolent resistance. We also take inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right. Now is the time.” Mr. President and Secretary Blinken, the Palestinian people are crying out for justice, and we hope that you will undertake creative and courageous steps to do what is right.
PCAP is heartened to see that more positive cooperation has been taking place between the United States and the Palestinians, especially in comparison to the previous administration, with the reopening of the American consulate in East Jerusalem, resumption of assistance to UNRWA, and the commitment to aid the devastated Gaza Strip. We recognize Secretary Blinken expressing, in his last trip to the Holy Land, that Palestinians aspire “to live in freedom; to have their basic rights respected, including the right to choose their own leaders; to live in security; to have equal access to opportunity for themselves, for their children; to be treated with dignity.” While we share these aspirations, we believe that much more than these limited actions and words must transpire for democracy, justice, and peace, to prevail.
Specifically, and with regard to Secretary Blinken’s comment supporting Palestinians’ right to choose their own leaders, PCAP urges the U.S. to reconsider its policy towards Hamas. In 2006, the Palestinian Authority elections were held with the encouragement of President George W. Bush and under the observation of the Carter Center. In what was a surprise for many, however, Hamas received sufficient votes to form the next government. With the electoral victory of Hamas, the U.S. backed away from its endorsement of the democratic process and halted aid to the PA. This policy contributed to the disastrous current situation from which the region, and the people of Gaza in particular, are suffering. More recently, President Abbas postponed the 2021 Palestinian elections, and much of that decision had to do with the sensitivity surrounding the inclusion of Hamas in the elections.
We believe that assigning the label of "terrorist organization" to Hamas hides the more complicated truth that Hamas is a reflection and result of the untenable and unjust status quo in the land. Hamas is the current government in the Gaza Strip, providing most everyday functions and services for its more than two million residents. A sizable number of Palestinians support Hamas because it is seen as less corrupt and more effective in governing than Fatah, not necessarily due to its ideology. Hamas even has a number of Palestinian Christians among its representatives and constituents. It has also called for a decades-long truce (hudna) with Israel, which the latter has consistently rejected.
In the interest of advancing democracy, justice, and peace, PCAP calls on the United States to support fair and transparent elections for Palestinians, including Hamas and their candidates, and voters in East Jerusalem. We also urge the U.S. administration to engage with Hamas in order to foster cooperation, facilitate humanitarian aid, and de-escalate violence. The U.S. has shown the ability to communicate with and recognize groups that it once deemed as terrorist organizations, including the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the African National Congress.
PCAP believes it is time for the U.S. to show leadership and take visionary steps to once and for all transform this conflict. It is time to stop toeing Israel’s line on Hamas, which serves to keep the Palestinian people divided, thwarts peace overtures, and provides cover for its continuing occupation, illegal land seizures, and systemic violations of Palestinian human rights.
In the last few weeks, Palestinians within the region and the diaspora -along with their Jewish and other allies- have risen in unison calling for their freedom and for an end to Israel’s unjust occupation, policies, and actions. We call on our U.S. government to recognize this unity and engage with those whom Palestinians choose as their representatives.
By our faith, we are guided to value God’s presence within all people and to hold all with love, even our enemies. We ask no less of you. We continue to pray for peace, justice, and equality for all the people of our Holy Land.
Respectfully,
Reverend Doctor Alex Awad (Co-Chair)
Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace
Statement on Jerusalem and Gaza Escalations - May 2021
Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace has been witnessing the heart-breaking scenes from Gaza and the rest of Palestine with great sorrow. The Israeli state-supported takeover of Palestinian homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, combined with Israel’s harassment of Palestinian Muslim worshippers during the month of Ramadan, created a combustible situation in Jerusalem and the rest of Palestine.
After years of continuing oppression without any resolution to the ongoing injustices and inequalities in the land, there was an explosion that we and other groups working for justice in Palestine had hoped to prevent. At this time, we express particular concern for the people of Gaza, who have suffered tremendously during Israel’s decades-long siege of the territory, and whose human welfare and mental states are devastatingly low. More than 200 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and thousands injured by Israeli missiles in the past two weeks alone. In a broader sense, we decry all violence against innocent civilians, be they Palestinian or Israeli.
Most of the members of PCAP were born in Palestine and felt the profound effects of our dispossession and occupation since before 1948. This crisis did not begin these past couple of weeks, and we cannot but see the latest wanton violence and suffering as directly linked to the history of the past hundred years - the establishment of an Israeli ethnocracy at the cost of the ongoing occupation, subjugation, and fragmentation of the Palestinian nation.
PCAP, with great concern and distress for all of the people of the land:
· Calls on the United States to influence Israel to stop all threatened takeovers of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, and to cease provocative actions near the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
· Calls for broad negotiations based on justice and equality as opposed to the current status quo of Israeli apartheid.
· Urges the United States to enter into a dialogue with all parties, including Hamas, about helping create the conditions necessary for lifting the inhumane siege of the Gaza Strip.
· Calls on all concerned Americans to contact your senators and representatives to express your support for the Palestinian people and a fair policy that encourages a genuine, just peace in all of the land.
· Urges Americans to lift their voices in actions and demonstrations supporting peace and justice in Palestine and an end to Israeli impunity.
PCAP continues to believe that peace is possible in the Holy Land, but that it can only come about by moving towards equality, justice, and human rights. As Pentecost Sunday approaches, we continue to pray for peace in Palestine and Israel and will pursue it as we are charged to do.
Action Links:
· Send a letter to President Biden via Churches for Middle East Peace here.
· Contact your senators via the Presbyterian Church USA here.
March 28, 2020
An Open Letter to Church Leaders:
As the Covid-19 pandemic threatens countries, communities and individuals around the world over, we know that you are fully engaged in providing spiritual advice and comfort for the flock that God called you to shepherd. Therefore, we hesitate to bring this matter to your attention, but the urgency of the hour gives us no choice.
We recently learned that Covid-19 cases have now been officially confirmed in the Gaza Strip. While the horror of the virus is felt everywhere, the pandemic would be truly catastrophic in the besieged enclave, where Palestinians in refugee camps constitute 70 percent of the population. Other areas of the world host large refugee populations, but Gaza is unique in that it is subject to a severe Israeli blockade that has been repeatedly condemned by the United Nations and the vast majority of countries in the world. Gaza has been routinely called the “largest open-air prison in the world.” Even before the arrival of Covid-19, health officials in Gaza were reporting severe shortages of medical supplies, equipment and hospital beds. In the crowded refugee camps in Gaza, it is not unusual to find 10-15 people living in a one- or two- room residence.
The majority of nearly 2 million Gazans will not be able to self-isolate or practice social distancing. While medical guidelines call for frequent hand washing, Gaza has such limited clean water supplies that people are forced to use potentially contaminated water for drinking, let alone washing. It was reported that Israel allowed the entry of only 200 test kits to the area.
Consequently, unless drastic measures are taken immediately, Covid-19 has the potential of turning Gaza from an open-air prison into a gigantic death camp. We ask you to join with other church leaders to call on the Israeli government to immediately end the Gaza blockade and allow medical personnel and equipment, including test kits, masks and ventilators to enter Gaza. Since Israel has blockaded Gaza for the last 14 years, it must assume full responsibility for what will happen there in the coming weeks and months. The United States government also shares responsibility for allowing Israel to keep nearly 2 million Gazans in perpetual imprisonment.
We implore you to make immediate contact with the Israeli government to do the following:
Sign an unconditional truce with Hamas so that leaders on both sides can work together to fight the spread of Covid-19. This is exactly the right time for joint humanitarian and non-political cooperation.
Open the borders to the West Bank and the outside world for all Gazans requiring urgent treatment that is unavailable within the Strip.
Allow the international community to send needed medical equipment and supplies.
Allow other countries, United Nations agencies, church mission groups, and other
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PCAP – P.O. Box 1333, Vienna, VA 22183 pcapeace@gmail.com http://pcap-us.org/
NGOs full freedom to do their work of helping the poor and ill in Gaza. Contact Information for the Office of Israel’s Prime Minister:
https://forms.gov.il/globaldata/getsequence/getHtmlForm.aspx?formType=ContactUsEn@pmo.gov.il
We also call on Christians everywhere to include Gaza in their prayers as they seek God’s help and healing grace for their own compatriots. And we call on the U.S. to resume the suspended financial support to UNRWA, the agency that has ministered to Palestinian refugees since 1948.
We believe that the church has a responsibility to stand in solidarity with people who are threatened with destruction and death as the wise writer of the Book of Proverbs wrote:
"Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, 'Surely we did not know this,'
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each person according to his or her deeds?"
Proverbs 24:11-12 (NIV)
As we all journey down this current Jericho Road, we call on you to look at the masses living in Gaza with Christ-like compassion and do what you can to allow life, freedom, healing and peace to reign over the threatened and besieged enclave.
Sincerely in Christ,
Reverend Alex Awad, Co-Chair
PCAP Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace
ENDORSEMENTS:
Alliance of Baptists Community for Justice in Palestine and Israel
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (Catholic)
Disciples Palestine Israel Network
Episcopal Peace Fellowship/Palestine Israel Network
Israel Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church, USA
Mennonite Palestine Israel Network
National Council of Churches of Christ, US
Pax Christi USA
Quaker Palestine Israel Network
United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network
United Methodist Kairos Response
Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East
Participating in the 2012 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Tampa. We spoke in support of the resolution to divest church funds from Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Hewlett Packard. This was an international conference of one thousand delegates dealing with making decisions relating to church policy. Even though the resolution failed, PCAP helped to pass a resolution to boycott products made in Israel’s illegal settlements. We also resolved to support our UMC allies to work diligently to pass the divestment resolution during their nest General Conference in 2016.
Participating in a two-week speaking tour by invitation of the United Methodists’ Northern California/Nevada Conference. The tour included making presentations entitled “Myths and Realities Through Palestinian Eyes” at ten churches, delivering sermons at two churches and speaking with local Palestinian Christians. Church venues included United Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, UCC, Catholic and Baptist churches. We also participated in the UMC California-Nevada Annual Conference attended by over 1,000 delegates and church members. PCAP helped pass a resolution condemning Israeli destruction of Palestinian olive and fruit groves.
Working with the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (a national organization of over 400 groups) to create an interfaith coalition that is coordinating efforts to influence churches to take specific BDS actions. PCAP is part of developing the national plan entitled “Make BDS Mainstream” in the United States.
Conducting a worship service of prayer in support of Palestinians at the Latin American congregation at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Because of their histories living under autocratic governments, the participants at this service were able to identify with the plight of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
Collaborating with Sabeel Metro DC to design and implement a successful conference at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC entitled “Palestinian Christians Speak to Churches.” Over 180 persons attended this event. As a result of this conference, we received many invitations to speak at churches throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Collaborating with Presbyterians at their General Assembly to pass a historic divestment resolution, requiring the church to divest from three corporations that profit from the Israeli occupation. This was accomplished against strong opposition, which was heavily financed by anti-boycott groups. Grace Said and Philip Farah, two of our board members wrote compelling and effective editorials that were circulated widely.
Networking with local Palestinian Christian and civil society NGOs to continue to be informed of the BDS work being done internationally and in the United States. PCAP will continue to share their work with churches as part of building a solidarity movement with Palestinians in the United States.
Calling for, helping plan, participating in, and co-sponsoring the “National Service of Mourning” for the victims of the invasion of Gaza. Conducted at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC, this was organized through the ecumenical Faith Forum. There were more than 150 attendees at this moving service. The service was broadcast live nationally and internationally.
Working with the Alliance of Baptists and Bright Stars of Bethlehem to conduct a two-day conference at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC entitled “Waging Peace” with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb of the Lutheran Christmas Church of Bethlehem as the keynote speaker. The event included the participation of all PCAP board members who led six workshops and a general session.
Cosponsoring with Bright Stars of Bethlehem and the Alliance of Baptists’ Justice in Palestine and Israel Community to plan and present a “Room for Hope Festival” in Charlotte, NC. The festival included culinary demonstrations performed by Dar Al Kalima University chefs and a gala reception and banquet prepared by those chefs; a concert performed by Georges Lammam’s band and musicians from Bright Stars of Bethlehem; and an all-day event that included Palestinian Americans sharing their Nakba stories; a Palestinian American journalist sharing his recent experiences while in Gaza during the summer 2014 Israeli invasion; and screening the “Voices Across the Divide” documentary and the Oscar-nominated movie “Omar.”
Presenting at the first ever Holy Land Festival at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC. Three PCAP board members shared their personal narratives and original poetry and invited participants to join the work of peace with justice among church members in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The leaders of the Franciscan Monastery have invited PCAP to be on the planning committee for next year’s festival.
Participating in a nationwide UMC conference in Ohio that focused entirely on peace with justice in the Holy Land. This conference was the first of its kind and was attended by 200 Methodists from across the United States. Several Palestinians from Palestine and the United States spoke, advocating for BDS. The conference was followed by meetings of 85 members of the United Methodist Kairos Response Group to create a strategic plan for carrying on their BDS mission in preparation for the 2016 General Conference.