Greetings!

In this issue of Palestine Portal News we bring you the annual Kairos Palestine Christmas Alert, and a report on the recent 10th Anniversary Kairos Palestine gathering in Bethlehem. Kairos Palestine and its affiliated organizations and institutions in Palestine continues to provide spiritual energy, strategic focus, and prophetic guidance to our global network -- "resistance with love as its logic."

Our global network continues to grow in strength and reach -- fueled, encouraged and inspired by the tireless work of our Palestinian sisters and brothers. Through Palestine Portal, Kairos USA is committed to strengthening the links between groups on every continent, providing information on their activities (and on new arrivals!), and articles, resources, and news.

I n the coming issues we will bring you news from the network and reminders about various features of Palestine Portal.

Kairos USA relies entirely on your support! Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Whatever you are able to give will help us continue to serve you in the coming year.
Kairos Palestine Christmas Alert
The annual Kairos Christmas Alert brings the Christmas story directly to the challenges of our time, in Palestine and the world at large. Download the Alert for powerful essays and reflections by Patriarch Michel Sabbah, Sam Bahour, Stephen Sizer, Daoud Kuttab, Yasmine Rishmari, and Munther Isaac.

From Patriarch Sabbah's Christmas Message;

"In Bethlehem, Christmas is a remembrance of what happened 2,000 years ago. In the hearts of people, there is joy and prayer but also sadness. Because in Bethlehem, in all the Holy Land, Israel and Palestine, soldiers armed with weapons dare to silence the voice of the angels. When Jesus was born, God conveyed a holy message to the shepherds watching over their cattle (Luke 2:8-14): 'A Savior is born to you!' They sang the hymn of peace that connects earth with heaven: 'Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth.' God did not deliver this message to the great and powerful people in those days. Today, too, the simple receive the message of Christmas. The prayers of the simple - the poor and marginalized - are offered to God for those who pretend to be great. May they open their minds and hear the message." 

"The global church is failing us."
Kairos Palestine observes 10th Anniversary of the Kairos Palestine "Moment of Truth"

Ten years ago, "Moment of Truth: A cry of love, faith and hope from the heart of Palestinian suffering" was launched. This powerful document of liberation theology and loving resistance set in motion the international Kairos movement. On November 29th, internationals joined Palestinians in Bethlehem in celebration of this anniversary.  “We are standing as if on a cliff, looking into an abyss” reads the conference statement:
 
"Since the launch of A Moment of Truth ten years ago, life in Palestine has rapidly deteriorated under the illegal occupation by the State of Israel. The oppression is more aggressive and brutal. Our imprisoned and besieged sisters and brothers in Gaza, non-violently gathering in the March of Return, were the targets of a bloody and deadly response. Settlements continue to expand. Threats of annexation of the Jordan Valley and the settlements themselves grow without a word of condemnation from the major powers. Add to this three more appalling developments: U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; the U.S. Secretary of State’s announcement that the U.S. government no longer deems West Bank settlements to be “inconsistent with international law”; and the State of Israel’s recent adoption of the Nation State Law which clearly reveals that  de facto  apartheid has become  de jure apartheid."
Acknowledging the critical importance of international solidarity, the authors of the statement have issued a stirring and direct call to the church: "While we thank God for our growing partnerships with faith-based and secular coalitions here in the region and around the world, for the most part, the global Church is failing us. " This admonition echoes the stern language of the 2017 Open Letter of the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine: " This is no time for shallow diplomacy, Christians!" Almost three years later, it bears rereading.
The conference statement calls the international community to these actions:
 
  • Condemn theological positions that justify the privilege of one people over another;
  • Recognize Israel as an apartheid state in terms of international law;
  • Include injustices in Palestine as part of any interfaith dialogue;
  • Visit Palestinian communities in partnership with the Palestinian tourism sector.
Palestine Portal: Mapping our movement
Mapping the Movement  is the heart of Palestine Portal. It charts the growing network of Kairos organizations at global, national, and local levels, providing information and direct access.

Click on the above map and check it out! Is your your mission committee or organization listed?  Contact us  to get on the map!
Palestine Portal depends on your support

Populating the map is an ongoing process. Send your tax-deductible gift to support our ongoing research and outreach to identify and connect the many groups and organizations that make up our network. This resource exists only on Palestine Portal. Help us today to develop and maintain this critical tool for building and strengthening the movement.