No Images? Click here A Cry for Home e-update If you are new to MCC's A Cry for Home campaign, please visit our website. June 2018 Issue No. 4
End the suffering of GazaOn March 30, Palestinians in Gaza began a series of Friday demonstrations calling attention to the Palestinians’ right to return to lands from which they were displaced 70 years ago and to the suffocating blockade under which they have lived for 11 years. The protests continue to the present. The Israeli military has responded with lethal force to nonviolent protesters and those armed with stones. Since March more than 115 Palestinians have been killed, and another 13,000 injured, including hundreds of children, a volunteer with an MCC partner organization and a Canadian doctor. In addition, medical personnel and facilities have also come under fire. Read a statement by Association of International Development Agencies in Palestine and Israel; MCC is a member of this association. On May 16, Prime Minister Trudeau stated Canada was joining the call for an independent investigation to ascertain whether Israel employed an excessive use of force, and also whether Hamas was engaged in incitement. He has been roundly criticized for doing this. MCC invites people to send messages to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, calling for an end to the suffering of Gaza and support for the Prime Minister’s call for an independent investigation Canadian MPs visit the West Bank“We need to create the space in Canada to speak up and hold our allies [like Israel] to account. We have to find our footing as a nation… We’re turning a blind eye.” -- Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands May was one of 18 Members of Parliament, representing the five political parties in the House of Commons, who visited the West Bank from March 31 to April 6. Their visit was initiated by the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group and was the first of its kind in many years. Typically, many MPs visit Israel each year, often courtesy of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), but very few MPs visit the West Bank. During their visit to Bethlehem and environs, Hebron, Ramallah and Jerusalem, the MPs met with a variety of governmental and non-governmental representatives, Palestinian and Israeli. Some of the NGOs included Defense for Children International—Palestine (lead agency on the No Way to Treat a Child campaign), B’Tselem and Breaking the Silence. The latter two are Israeli groups who promote Palestinian human rights. A video report, part French and part English, on the MP visit is available here. A written report is expected soon. A list of MPs who participated is available here. No Way to Treat a Child - Bringing the stories to OttawaIn late April, MCC joined in bringing the stories of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention to parliamentarians, civil servants and others in Ottawa. The group told the story of 16-year-old Fawzi Mohammad Fawzi Jnaidi, who was severely beaten and detained in Hebron last year when he ran into an Israeli soldier while trying to escape some tear gas. The group included Jenn Wiebe, director of our Ottawa Office, representatives of the United Church of Canada, as well as Michael Lynk (UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories) and Brad Parker (attorney and key representative of the No Way to Treat a Child campaign). Many MPs expressed willingness to sign an Open Letter calling on Canada to establish a special envoy to monitor, report and act on the situation of Palestinian children in military detention. When this letter is completed, A Cry for Home will invite you to urge your MP to sign on to the letter. Stay tuned for more information. Read more about the Ottawa meetings in a reflection by Christie Neufeldt of the United Church Canada. Speaking out: An Israeli and a Palestinian in conversationMCC is very excited to announce that we will be itinerating two young adults from Israel and Palestine this fall from October 20 to November 8. They will visit Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Sahar Vardi is a Jewish Israeli from Jerusalem, a conscientious objector and executive director of the American Friends Service Committee in Israel. Tarek Zoughbi is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem where he works as program coordinator for Wi’am: the Center for Palestinian Conflict Resolution. MCC has long-term relationships with both organizations. More details will be available in the September update. In the meantime, inquiries can be sent to acryforhome@mcccanada.ca. Mennonite Church Canada NetworkIn July 2016 the assembly of Mennonite Church Canada passed a resolution committing the church to advocate for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. A national working group was appointed to help congregations implement the resolution's calls to prayer, education, and action. The group endorsed a four-session curriculum resource "Pathways for Peace in Palestine and Israel"; spoke at regional assemblies and churches; formed networks of "friends of the resolution"; and partnered with Jewish and Palestinian folk who shared the vision for justice and peace in the Holy Land. They also welcomed and supported the new "Cry for Home" campaign of MCC. In addition to a national network, working groups now meet regularly in Manitoba and Ontario, while in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, regional reps are working with area church committees and individuals. Since last fall, these groups have helped facilitate a number of gatherings, such as the recent cross-Canada lecture tour of Palestinian theologian Naim Ateek; met with members of Parliament; brought together alumni of Mennonite learning tours for fellowship and idea-sharing; offered prayer requests for church bulletins; made presentations in churches and other venues; and collaborated with local peace groups in advocacy actions related to Palestine and Israel. Much remains to be done. For more information on MC Canada's resolution and its follow up, or to connect with a regional group, contact Byron Rempel-Burkholder at brempelburkholder@gmail.com. Stay in touchPlease help us spread the word about A Cry for Home by sharing this e-update. If you have any questions or concerns about A Cry for Home, please be in touch: acryforhome@mcccanada.ca Thank-you for joining MCC in responding to the cry of our Palestinian and Israeli partners! |