A call to lament and reject violence, to listen deeply and to seek peace

In the face of unfolding violence in Palestine-Israel we, the International Fellowship for Mission as Transformation – INFEMIT, deeply lament and reject violence on all sides of the conflict; we are burdened by the loss of life; and we call followers of Jesus around the world to pursue peace and listen humbly to the voices of the suffering and the oppressed in the land. 

Frequent analyses of the current situation in Palestine-Israel ignore the complex history of the land’s current inhabitants and result in one-sided proclamations and justifications of violence (to learn more about this complex history, we recommend this video). As followers of the Prince of Peace, we reject all forms of violence, particularly in the name of religion. The Christ we follow stood on the side of the marginalized and called his followers to pursue justice through the restoration of the dignity of both oppressor and oppressed, which he demonstrated when he healed the ear of the soldier dismembered by Peter during Jesus’s arrest (John 18:10-11). The violent acts in Palestine-Israel for long years prior to and during the past weeks, including but not limited to the Hamas attacks and the disproportionate and indiscriminate response of the Israeli government, are not only contrary to our faith but counterproductive to a peaceful and lasting solution to the disputes over this land.

We lament that many Christians around the world have often contributed more to the problem than to the solution, by upholding theologies that justify oppression and violence, particularly those rooted in the belief that the Israeli state will fulfill a special destiny during the second coming of the Christ. Such theologies result in the uncritical support of the Israeli state, along with the dehumanization of all but Jewish people living in the land. Our faith calls us to affirm the image of God shared by all people and to entreat our leaders and the international community to work toward the wellbeing of all the people who share the land. Because the Church has so often neglected to do this, instead manifesting blind support for Israel, we now share this desperate cry raised by our brothers and sisters, the living stones,* in the land of Palestine-Israel. You may choose or not to sign this petition, but we do entreat you to listen attentively to these Christian Palestinian voices as well as to pray for all who are suffering in the Holy Land.

*“Living stones” refers to Palestinian Christians who have been living in the land of Palestine-Israel since the time of the Pentecost and have contributed to preserving the sites and memory of the early Church.

See also…

This personal story of a Palestinian Christian family and the challenges they have faced over the past 75 years offers a much needed perspective.

If you also lament and reject violence and yearn for peace in Palestine- Israel, feel free to add your name below.