For Peace in the Land of Jesus
We reproduce here a text from the Churches for Middle East Peace collective, which opens a window to the dramatic situation of our brothers and sisters suffering the consequences of the war in the Holy Land. In this week of prayer, Holy Week, let us ask God for the gift of justice and Peace.
Dear Catholic Colleagues:
We write to share a periodic update of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace at a time of great peril for our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land.
Recent News Summary
The Gaza ceasefire has broken down, with Israel resuming its bombardment resulting in great loss of life. Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners are languishing, and humanitarian aid into Gaza has been halted for weeks, including during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Current UN statistics estimate that at least 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli military assaultthat followed Oct. 7, 2023.
In the West Bank, including Bethlehem, Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians, Israeli military incursions, land annexation efforts, increased checkpoints and curtailing of movement are making life near-impossible for all Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim.As Christian leaders in Jerusalem, including his Beatitude Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah, characterize it, “As the war in Gaza continues, Israel has launched a war in the West Bank, hidden from the eyes of the world. The Israeli army is carrying out the largest displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank from their homes since 1967.” Here at home, and in U.S. Catholic circles, these realities are not getting the attention that is needed.
In the United States, there is an alarming spate of international students and scholars being detained for speaking up for Palestinian rights, including the prominent case of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student, as well as Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University fellow, both of whom are not charged with any crime. These actions are part of a policy of mass deportation, which Pope Francis and many Catholic leaders have decried, and they also undermine efforts to secure Palestinian freedom and a just peace for all.
Please find below a number of Catholic based resources, talks, webinars, and articles for your reference and to share with Catholic colleagues.The “asks” of the U.S. Catholic letter on Israel-Palestine issued almost a year ago remains critical – an immediate and permanent ceasefire, release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners, halt to U.S. offensive military weapons to Israel, robust humanitarian aid into Gaza, and a just political solution for Palestinians and Israelis.
We continue to find hope in the faith and steadfastness of Palestinian Christians and Muslims and the dedication and courage of Palestinian, Israeli, and international, human rights and peace advocates who do not despair.
Catholic Resources and Updates
·Pope Francis calls for an end to ‘heavy bombing in Gaza’, Vatican News, March 23
·“Out of the Depths,” April 1 Statement from “A Jerusalem Voice for Justice” ecumenical witness including His Beatitude Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah
·“Bishop Zaidan Encourages Solidarity and Prayer for Lasting Peace in the Holy Land,” USCCB, March 25
·“Catholics must oppose detention of Mahmoud Khalil,”National Catholic Reporter, March 26, Julie Schumacher Cohen
·Silencing Voices of Peace: Pax Christi International Denounces Detention of Mahmoud Khalil
·“Palestinian and Israeli Children Both Have the Right to Live in Safety and Dignity,”America, March 26, Julie Schumacher Cohen
·Education for Justice Examen and Backgrounder Guide, Ignatian Solidarity Network, January 2025 Examen and Guide and Shared by Jesuit Curia in Rome
Faith-Rooted Primer for Understanding and Addressing Bigotry in the U.S. Amid the Violence in Israel-Palestine (Among other things, this document helps readers distinguish between antisemitism and criticism of Israel and ideologies of Zionism)
Talks and Webinars:
·CAC member Jordan Denari Duffner at University of Notre Dame discussing Catholic perspectives on Israel-Palestine:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5yL00Yy1xM&t=1476s
·Webinar: “Seeking Justice, Peace and Equality in Israel-Palestine: The Gaza Ceasefire and the Road Ahead,” Ignatian Solidarity Network (Schumacher Cohen, Feb. 2025:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX2W4SxXhwY
Advocacy: Contact Your Elected Officials
Consider using some of the above resources to help us each fulfill our biblical call to justice for the marginalized and vulnerable:
·Draw on key points of the Catholic Letter on Israel-Palestine to renew your advocacy for an immediate and permanent Gaza ceasefire,
·Use the “Out of the Depths” statement to raise awareness of the realities of our brothers and sisters in the West Bank and the need for the U.S. to reject Israeli annexation,
·Express your concern about the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, Badar Khan Suri and other students and scholars who have advocated for Palestinian rights, pointing out the need to keep families together from the threat of unlawful deportation and the necessity of supporting free expression, the right to nonviolent protest, and due process.
Sincerely,
Julie Schumacher Cohen, CAC member
Jordan Denari Duffner, CAC member
Jeff Abood, CAC Chair
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