Christians Get Their Story Out to the World

Dear Friend of Palestinians and Israelis, Passions are being stirred. I knew about it but failed to urge my class to see CBS run a segment on 60 Minutes last Sunday night on CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND. (We were running late and I didn't check my "to do" list). Many of you have seen it. Israel's attempts (through her Ambassador Oren) to squelch the story of how Palestinian Christians are faring in Isr/Pal failed. Here is the link for you to listen to and see the story. http://www.cbs.com/primetime/60_minutes/video/?pid=KC_VQD_ijs7ub6AoWFWbBNlnmbM3zkkD&vs=Default&play= (This is the whole 42 minute program. The relevant segment is the second of the three stories). Christians in Isr/Pal have spoken out in the KAIROS PALESTINE document we are studying. Sixty copies were gobbled up by persons coming to the class April 15 and 22. This Sunday we will discuss "WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?" (10:15, the Chapel). As you may know, the Presbyterians and the United Methodists will be considering resolutions urging their Board of Pensions to divest from companies that are profiting from the Occupation. Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) has published a letter sent to the United Methodists by a group of Rabbis, Cantors and Rabbinic students in support of these actions. Here are the last two paragraphs of the letter from the Rabbis: To advocate for an end to an unjust policy is not anti-Semitic. To criticize Israel is not anti-Semitic. To invest your own resources in corporations which pursue your vision of a just and peaceful world, and to withdraw your resources from those which contradict this vision, is not anti-Semitic. There is a terrible history of actual anti-Semitism perpetrated by Christians at different times throughout the millennia and conscientious Christians today do bear a burden of conscience on that account. We can understand that, with your commitment to paths of peace and justice, it must be terribly painful and inhibiting to be accused of anti-Semitism. In fact, many of us in the Jewish community recognize that the continuing occupation of Palestine itself presents a great danger to the safety of the Jewish people, not to mention oppressing our spirits and diminishing our honor in the world community. We appreciate the solidarity of people of conscience in pursuing conscientious nonviolent strategies, such as phased selective divestment, to end the occupation. [signed by 26 rabbis, a cantor and rabbinic students. Read the whole letter at www.rabbisletter.org] Today, I (JRK again) received a copy of a letter to the United Methodists from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the hopeful Christian who helped turn the tide against the Apartheid government in South Africa. He writes the letter to SUPPORT the Rabbis urging divestment. In clear and compelling words, he urges United Methodists (and other churches) to support the letter written by the Rabbis.