60 Years Later: Israel-Palestine

It has been 60 years since the state of Israel was established on May 14, 1948. Israel’s supporters mark the anniversary of the event with rejoicing, while Palestinians remember the time as the nakba or catastrophe.

Two peoples, two histories, two very different ways of telling the story. What will a way forward look like? How can we as U.S. Christians support a lasting peace built on justice?

This year, prayerfully mark the anniversary in your congregation.

• In a Sunday School class or small group, learn more about Palestine-Israel (see resources below).
• Pray for a just and peaceful solution to the conflict (prayer to be used on June 8).
• Advocate for U.S. support for a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that includes: respect for human rights; an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories; fair distribution of land and water resources; justice and security for Palestinian refugees; and a shared Jerusalem.

JustPeace60: A joint declaration by Christian leaders on Israel’s 60th anniversary

International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel, June 4-10, 2008: A joint advocacy initiative convened by the World Council of Churches

Prayer to be used in congregations on Sunday, June 8, from the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem.

To Learn More

• MCC resources:

  • “What is Palestine/Israel? Answers to common questions” by Sonia K. Weaver
  • DVD, “Children of the Nakba” (26 min.)
  • DVD, “Walking the Path Jesus Walked”
  • Middle East resource box for children

  To borrow or purchase these materials, visit http://www.tng-secure.com/scripts/mcc/catalog/index.php.

• MCC Palestine: Information about MCC’s programs in Palestine.

• MCC Palestine blog: Updates from MCC workers in Palestine.

• An Open Letter to Mennonite Church USA Congregations: Becoming Peacemakers in Israel/Palestine, June 2007.

• A Biblical-Theological Reflection on Israel by Calvin Shenk

• Evangelicals for Social Action’s 4-Part Series on Israel-Palestine by Bret Kincaid

• Churches for Middle East Peace>: A coalition of 22 public policy offices of national churches and agencies - Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant.