United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR) and Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) will present a webinar "Palestine is Calling" beginning at 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern (US, Canada), 5pm GMT, 8pm Palestine, on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
UMKR and MFSA present the compelling experiences of United Methodist and Baptist laity and clergy who have recently visited some of the most troubled spots in Palestine/Israel and who bring us Palestine’s urgent call for solidarity and support.
Opening with a basic introduction to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, its recent history, and current realities, the webinar will close with a wide range of recommendations for responding to that call in any locale through any available means.
A panel of justice advocates who know Palestine/Israel well will speak about their recent experiences as eyewitnesses to the worsening conditions on the ground across historic Palestine. They will bring firsthand experiences of providing a protective presence at key locations of conflict and creating a bold public witness of faith-based solidarity, a witness intended to be shared in churches and communities.
Joining the panel also will be Omar Haramy, executive director of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem, speaking about the purpose and power of these ongoing solidarity trips that Sabeel is organizing with diverse faith partners. The webinar panel’s trip was co-sponsored by Sabeel, Rabbis for Ceasefire and Christians4Ceasefire and included Buddhists and Hindus as well.
The presenters bring to light the fear and frustration of Palestinians who see their lives are not valued by a neglectful world community and who despair of the global church’s seeming silence and inaction.
"This webinar will challenge us to answer Palestinians' urgent call to solidarity, offering manifold ways that we can be justice-seekers and peacemakers: acting as individuals and in community, within the church and in our society, locally, nationally, and globally," say the webinar sponsors in a press release.