Category: Campaigns

Here we offer a number of background articles/reports that may shed some different light  on what is happening now.

They may help you in writing to your own MP or to the Israeli Ambassador here in London to express your concerns about the human rights violations and the on-going illegal occupation. Contact details: Find your MP  and   Deputy Ambassador Eitan Na’eh, Israeli Embassy, 2 Palace Green,London,W8 4QB,  www.embassies.gov.il/

• Statement: Pax Christi International has worked for many years with Palestinian and Israeli human rights and peace organizations to support their work for a just peace in the Middle East based on human rights. Around the world our members and partners are praying for all those whose lives are being destroyed by violence. We are convinced that nonviolent, legal and political solutions are the only way to stop the violence.We believe the painstaking work to build confidence and peace between people is totally compromised by this current rise in violence. Palestinian youngsters who attack Israeli civilians play an important role in this, and so do the Israeli security forces that exacerbate the violence and do not protect Palestinian civilians.
• Situation Update – Jerusalem_15 October  from office of the Pontifical Mission, Jerusalem
• Statement by Human Rights organisations in Israel challenging illegal actions of police and IDF , 15 October
• Article Palestinians must not fall into this trap, again! Sam Bahour  policy adviser to Al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network
• Statement from Bishops Declan Lang, Catholic Bishops’ Conference, October 2015
• Report from Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum 7 October 2015

Useful websites for keeping up-to-date/ campaigning actions

Kairos Britain (Pax Christi  is a member) – Palestinian Centre for Human Rights – B’tselem Israeli Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories – Palestine Solidarity Campaign – See how you can Stop Arms to Israel 

 

 

Prayer, Fasting and Action for peace in the Middle East and North Africa – Syria, Palestine & Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen…

• Join us in solidarity with others and fast and pray for one or more 24-hour period between 28 September – 3 October.
• On 2 October, Pax Christi will hold a vigil of prayer and fasting  opposite Downing Street from 10.00 – 5.00pm.  This is International Day of Nonviolence. Join us in whatever way is appropriate. More information here
• Prayer and reflection resources here
• Take action here to support nonviolent Syrian actvists working to prevent further bombing of Syria

The week  runs between 20 – 26 September and the focus for this year is  Bridges not Walls  : “God has broken down the dividing Wall” (Ephesians 2:14).  Pax Christi is a core member of the planning group and we hope that members, schools  and parishes will mark the week in some way: using the prayers, postcard ideas, stories that are on the WWPPI  webpage.   Let us know if you plan an event and tell us how it went.

Some events that we know of:

19 September, Newcastle.  Wall will Fall programme:  workshops, market place and worship and film Open Bethlehem.     St Thomas’ Church, Haymarket, Newcastle from 12 noon to 4.00pm. Admission free. Enquiries to: pjhl13@gmail.com.

20 September, Brighton, 2.30pm. A screening of the film: ‘The Stones Cry Out’  Brighton Quaker Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, Contact: Patricia 01273 474884

22 September, Crosby, Bridges not Walls’…..  Vigil for Peace in Palestine and Israel,  6.30 – 8.30 pm SS Peter and Pauls Church, Liverpool Road, Crosby, Liverpool L23 5TE’.  The vigil will include prayers, readings and reflections, personal testimony from Israel and Palestine and will end with Mass.

22 September, Warrington.  Meeting to be held at Stockton Heath Methodist Church, Walton Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington WA4 6NL @ 7.15.  The evening will include a short film about Christian Aid’s work in Israel and the Occupied Territories, a speaker and a sharing of ideas about further action. There will also be a stall selling Palestinian produce. All welcome. Contact Ann Eggboro  01925 268166 or anneggboro@hotmail.co.uk

23 September, Hanwell.  Prayer vigil from 8 .00 – 9.00 pm at  Our Lady and St Joseph’s  Church, Uxbridge Road, Hanwell  W7 3SU.  Organised by the Justice & Peace group

24 September, Kings Heath.  Special prayer vigil for peace at 7.30 at  All Saints Church, Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, B14 7RA

25 September, Godalming, afternoon.  WWPPI Vigil, Godalming Quakers, with Churches Together contact: Anna 01483 414 767

26 September, Leeds.   God has broken down the dividing walls : Leeds Pax Christi and J&P Leeds are holding a half-day conference for the WWPPI at Oxford Place Centre, Leeds.

26 September, Lichfield.  Bridges not Walls event, help build a wall around Bethlehem and lots more.  Methodist Church, Tamworth Street, Lichfield.  10. – 12.30 pm.  Organised by Lichfield Concern for Palestine.

 

Chris Gabbett is the head of Trinity School, Leamington Spa.  Trinity is a Pax Christi School and has undertaken a lot of work with us.  Chris spoke at the annual Franz Jaegerstatter memorial service on the value he  places on education for peace and nonviolence.  (see photograph)

Now Chris is walking the Camino Ingles and has kindly said he will raise money for the Christian Peace Education Fund.  You can support him here