In December 2023, South African Christians organized an international solidarity delegation to Palestine/Israel, shortly before South Africa charged Israel with genocide at the International Court of Justice.

The delegation met with Palestinian Christian colleagues and human rights leaders across Palestine/Israel, as well as Jordan and Egypt, and attended the headline-making Christmas service at the Lutheran church in Bethlehem.

They experienced the current realities in the region, from deserted Bethlehem and armed settlers in the old city of Jerusalem, to families of Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv. Unrest was palpable everywhere as a result of Israel's current war on Gaza.

Join us to hear stories of faith and courage and firsthand observations of conditions on the ground in Palestine today, as well as updates on South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

UMKR and MFSA invite you to a briefing and conversation among prophetic Methodist leaders with considerable experience in this region, two of whom traveled with the Christmas season delegation:

Bishop IVAN ABRAHAMS of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and the General Secretary of the World Methodist Council

DAVID WILDMAN, Executive Secretary for Human Rights & Racial Justice with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM)
Moderated by: Rev. Dr. SUSAN HENRY CROWE, recently retired General Secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS)

The United Methodist Social Principles, ¶164

"The Church regards the institution of slavery, the practice and commission of genocide, war crimes, crimes against human- ity, and aggression as infamous and atrocious evils. Such evils are destructive of humanity, promote impunity, and therefore must be unconditionally prohibited by all governments and shall never be tolerated by the Church.

A recent interview between Bishop Abrahams and Daoud Kuttab, about Zionism and Israeli genocide https://menafn.com/1107666155/South-Africas-Rev-Abrams-Biblically-There-Is-No-Place-For-Zionism-And-Israel-Is-Committing-Genocide-And-Ethnic-Cleansing

An article about the South African-led delegation to Palestine/Israel: Solidarity: SA Christian delegation to spend Xmas in Bethlehem

Christ in the Rubble (the widely reported service that the delegation attended):
Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, December 23, 2023

• Short news video about the powerful nativity display: ‘Christ in the rubble’: Christmas muted as Bethlehem grieves for Gaza • FRANCE 24 English

• At the International Court of Justice, attorney quotes from Munther Isaac's Christ in the Rubble sermon: https://www.facebook.com/kairospalestine/posts/pfbid0UVL3Etgu5D1tsWrjawRU8V6wDmZzKqZGBmSskyaGYxUBhPVYjoZdSYwvp6K11UQJl

• Video of the sermon, Christ in the Rubble - Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac - Dec 23, 2023 https://www.facebook.com/christmaslutheranchurch/videos/2417884558393578/

• Video of the entire church service on Dec. 23 Dec 23 Christ in the Rubble - A Liturgy of Lament - Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem

Articles by David Wildman: 
Why Divestment? Why Now? Why Divestment? Why Now? David Wildman - Sept. 2006

What Does the Lord Require of the Ecumenical Movement Today? https://unjppi.org/david-wildman-on-bds.html

UMKR'S website section on the current war in Palestine/Israel, including

"Call to the Church in a Time of Moral Reckoning" Humanitarian aid (giving to UNRWA and others) Action to contact U.S. government leaders and more https://www.kairosresponse.org/war2023_palestine-israel.html

Take action for this urgent moment and for long-term change:

• ACTION ALERT TO CONTACT U.S. GOVERNMENT LEADERS:https://umkr.salsalabs.org/AlertCeasefireOct2023

• JOIN THE APARTHEID-FREE MOVEMENT: https://apartheid-free.org
Email UMKR for help in bringing this to your church and taking the pledge: umkr.organizing@gmail.com

• DISCOVER ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK
Now the whole month of March! https://bdsmovement.net/IAW2024-March-For-Palestine

The Methodist Liaison Office (MLO) in Jerusalem: A joint initiative of The United Methodist Church, the World Methodist Council and the Methodist Church of Britain.

The MLO is holding weekly briefings and prayer time. 
Email the office to receive a zoom link to join them
Office@Mlojerusalem.org 

Our church asks United Methodists to contact the MLO when planning a Holy Land visit, for important insights and assistance in planning your trip.