Washington, D.C. (Nov. 29, 2012) Kairos USA is among scores of groups who have gathered more than 15,000 signatures in support for fifteen Christian leaders who have challenged U.S. military support to Israel. Kairos USA is a broadly ecumenical Christian movement formed this year in response to the 2009 Kairos Palestine call to the global church.
Last month, religious organizations and their secular partners launched the petition after U.S. church leaders released a letter calling for congressional investigation into the legality of the United States’ unconditional military support of Israel. Citing how our government’s support for Israel’s expansionism and military policies has undermined prospects for peace, the Oct. 5, 2012 letter challenges Congress to make aid to Israel contingent upon compliance with applicable U.S. laws and policies.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at the United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Conference room 3, Washington, D.C.
Speakers will include:
• Mark Harrison, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society
• Rev. Phillip G. Anderson, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
• Rabbi Liz Bolton, Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council
• Josh Ruebner, U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
• Tom Getman, Kairos USA
• Philip Farah, Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace
Participating organizations represent widespread support across the denominational spectrum, with mainline Protestants joined by members of Evangelical churches and Catholic orders, and include Kairos USA, U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Israel Palestine Mission Network of PC(USA), Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, United Methodist Kairos Response, Friends of Sabeel North America, Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace, Palestine Israel Network of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and Jewish Voice for Peace.
As the United Nations today considers the Palestine Liberation Organization’s request for “non-member observer” status, speakers will urge U.S. Christian groups to support these leaders who have issued this call for a U.S. policy that will advance self-determination for Palestinians and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. This affirmation, especially timely because of Israel’s recent bombardment of Gaza, comes as these leaders face aggressive criticism by some Jewish advocacy organizations, some of which have withdrawn from long-standing interfaith dialogues in response.
The event will be live streamed at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/us-campaign-events
Contact
Steven D. Martin
865-300-6848
Mark Braverman
443 995 7882
