Anti-BDS legislation resources, WWPPI and more
December 2017 - In this issue:
 
"COLORS OF PALESTINE" 2018 CALENDAR  
 
NEWS & ACTION IN THE U.S.  
* Historic legislation in Congress for
  Palestinian human rights 
* Congressional Briefing: 2 Palestine Mayors

PALESTINIAN RESOURCES & MESSAGES
* Kairos Palestine: Christmas 2017 Resource
* Sabeel: Cornerstone Magazine, Naim Ateek Sermon
* Mayor of Bethlehem: Why are US Christians celebrating Israeli policies strangling Jesus' birthplace?
 
THEOLOGY IN ACTION 
* A Theology of BDS, by Rabbi Brant Rosen 
There is still time to receive this beautiful 2018 calendar before Christmas: a unique gift from Palestine. Click the link below and learn more...
NEWS & ACTION IN THE U.S.
Historic U.S. legislation for Palestinian human rights
 
Bill in Congress would end US funding for military detention and abuse of Palestinian children
In November, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and nine co-sponsors introduced a bill prohibiting U.S. financial support of abuses against Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention system, putting the daily violations of these children's human rights under the magnifying glass of U.S. taxpayers.  
 
Learn about the groundbreaking legislation, see current co-sponsors, and send a message to your representatives.       
Congressional briefing on impact of Israeli settlements 

The mayors of Bethlehem and Wadi Foquin in the West Bank visited Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. in November. They spoke at a congressional briefing on Nov 14th, and met with members of Congress.

The Friends of Wadi Foquin Foundation, in partnership with Churches for Middle East Peace and Church and Society, hosted the briefing which focused on the impact Israeli settlements have on Palestinians.
PALESTINIAN RESOURCES & MESSAGES
Kairos Palestine Christmas Alert 2017
Advent devotional study   
 
 
This year the annual resource from Kairos Palestine sheds light on and raises awareness of what Bethlehem has been experiencing since the Balfour Declaration to encourage churches around the world to act.
 
Let us all spread the message of Palestinian Christians by sharing this devotional study widely during Advent 2017. 
Sabeel's Cornerstone Magazine, Fall 2017     
 
 
From Sabeel's 10th International Conference including:
 
Challenging Religious Extremism
by The Rev. Naim Ateek 
 
The Balfour Declaration: Historical Context
by Dr. Peter A. Shambrook
   
Islamic Fundamentalism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Dr. Ghada Karmi  
 
Jewish Extremism
by Sahar Vardi  
 
Comprehending Christian Zionism
by Dr. Robert O. Smith  

Naim Ateek Sermon at Liturgy of Penance and Hope 

This sermon by Sabeel's founder was delivered at a service in St Georges Cathedral in Palestine; it was the final event of Amos Trust's Just Walk: a walk from London to Jerusalem to mark the 100th anniversary of Balfour, 50 years of military occupation of the Palestinian Territories and 10 years of the siege of Gaza. READ MORE   
THEOLOGY IN ACTION
God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed:
A Theology of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions  
by Rabbi Brant Rosen
 
 
In Rabbi Rosen's blog Shalom Rav, see the text of his address to a conference of the American Academy of Religion in Boston, in November 2017.  
 
He considers the question: What stands out as an important element of religious ethics and theology that motivates those inspired to take up the cause of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions?  
 
Rosen's closing statement: "As a Jew, as an American, as a person of conscience, I would suggest this call presents
us with nothing less than the most consequential spiritual challenge of our time."   READ MORE 
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