Middle East

Supporting justice and peace in the Middle East

January 19, 2024

Like so many, KAIROS is following South Africa’s application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) closely, watching, listening and hoping that the outcome will strengthen justice, peace and humanity.  We share here a letter from KAIROS member, United of…

Post filed in: Middle East, Statements

Highlights from my participation at 11th WCC Assembly, by Zoughbi Zoughbi

October 19, 2022

The 11th World Council of Churches Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany was indeed a celebration of life from diverse churches, dignitaries, students, patriarchs, bishops, clergy, nuns, professors, and political, social, and economic leaders of the world. I was representing Wi’am: Palestinian…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Introducing Hana Elias Anton Kare – Wi’am/West Bank

September 16, 2022

Introducing Hana Kare, a researcher, trainer and peace activist with Wi’am: Palestine Conflict Transformation Centre. Like the other Women, Peace and Security partners, Wi’am is a long-term ecumenical and KAIROS partner, now active in the emerging gender, conflict and climate…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Ecumenical letter urging Canada to protect freedom of worship

April 28, 2022

To protect access for all religions to places of worship in occupied East Jerusalem, and to condemn recent Israeli police attacks on worshippers at Al Aqsa Mosque   KAIROS, jointly with member churches and church agencies in Canada who work with…

Post filed in: Middle East

Strengthening the livelihoods of Palestinians through agriculture in the West Bank

February 23, 2022

The agricultural sector, considered the cornerstone of Palestinian economic development, has not been able to play its strategic role because of the dispossession of land and the denial of access to agricultural areas, water resources, domestic and external markets as…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic #KAIROS20

August 9, 2021

To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic: KAIROS, you are a light in the world.  Let your light so shine before men (and women), that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven: Matthew 5: 16.  “To be…

Post filed in: #KAIROS20 Anniversary, Middle East

KAIROS calls for just peace amidst escalating violence in Israel/Palestine

May 14, 2021

KAIROS is extremely concerned about the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine and deeply saddened by the loss of life.  KAIROS stands in solidarity with our partners in Palestine and in Israel and offers prayers to those experiencing extreme suffering.   KAIROS laments the assault of worshippers in…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Prayer for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel

May 13, 2021

As violence and repression escalate in Palestine and Israel, KAIROS continues to call for lasting and just peace, respect for human rights and an end to the occupation.   The Rev. Andreas Thiel who is a member of the KAIROS Steering Committee and who participated in the KAIROS…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Ecumenical call opposing evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem

April 29, 2021

KAIROS joins other Christian denominations, church agencies, ecumenical organizations and networks in  calling on the Canadian government to take action on the recent acceleration in attempts by Israeli settler organizations to forcibly evict and dispossess hundreds of Palestinian families  in the Sheikh Jamal and Silwan neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem.  From Palestinian and Israeli partners, we have learned that fifteen families totaling…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Hope Still Rises: a conversation with Daoud Nassar -Toronto West KAIROS online presentation

December 14, 2020

This conversation on Nov. 7 with Palestinian farmer and advocate Daoud Nassar was quite a lesson in turning the other cheek.  He explained that his Palestinian family has owned their farmland in the West Bank since 1916.  Israel declared his and all the surrounding land “state…

Post filed in: Middle East, Regional News

Spirited Reflection: A Rigorous Spirituality

December 9, 2020

A Cry for Justice – Theological Reflection from the KAIROS Palestine-Israel Delegation In the late fall of 2019, I was part of the KAIROS Church Leaders’ Delegation to Israel/Palestine.  This was, as one of our delegates, Rosalyn Elm, put it “Not…

Post filed in: Middle East, Spirited Reflections

Spirited Reflection: Mary of Palestine

November 30, 2020

A Cry for Justice – Theological Reflection from the KAIROS Palestine-Israel Delegation A year ago, I was travelling the roads and cobblestone paths of Palestine on the KAIROS Israel-Palestine delegation.  When you’re a Christian in Bethlehem, in the days leading up to Christmas, the gospel stories of Jesus’ birth resound in your heart.  In Manger…

Post filed in: Middle East, Spirited Reflections

World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, September 14- 21.

September 15, 2020

Join us in educating, advocating, strengthening solidarity and praying for an end to the occupation and a just peace in Palestine and Israel. Through our joint work, we are also correcting injustice suffered, affirming the rights of the marginalized and…

Post filed in: Middle East

Beirut, God is with you: A Prayer from the Middle East Council of Churches

August 5, 2020

KAIROS grieves the loss of life and devastation in Beirut.  We stand with the people of Lebanon in solidarity and prayer and share this statement from the Middle East Council of Churches.   Beirut is devastatedBeirut is facing a tragedyLet’s stand…

Post filed in: Middle East

Continue to take action for international human rights and against annexation

July 13, 2020

The government of Israel publicly communicated plans to move forward with the formal annexation of significant parts of the West Bank and all of its settlements, consisting of territory that Israel has been militarily occupying since 1967, giving July 1,…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Webinar recording: What’s next? Annexation, COVID-19 and Palestine

July 13, 2020

A discussion about human rights and women, peace and security in Palestine-Israel with our partner Wi’am and members of the KAIROS Palestine-Israel Delegation. Wi’am staff provides an update about their work and the current context including the impacts of COVID-19…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Take action for international human rights and against annexation

June 18, 2020

Our choices define us as people and nations. It is our prayer that Canada will choose to be a nation that does not remain silent in the face of illegal actions but will work alongside other nations to uphold human…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

KAIROS and members sign ecumenical letter calling on Canada to uphold international law and the rights of Palestinians

May 19, 2020

KAIROS has joined several members churches in signing an ecumenical public letter to Foreign Affairs Minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, expressing grave concern about Canada’s silence regarding the government of Israel’s plans to propose a vote in the Knesset (likely July 1st) on annexing a significant part…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Women peacebuilders respond to COVID-19

May 6, 2020

Advising remote communities on how to protect themselves from COVID-19 and assisting women who are experiencing an increase in gender-based and domestic violence are a few of the ways that KAIROS’ Women of Courage: Women, Peace and Security partners are responding to the…

Post filed in: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America, Middle East

Media Release: Church delegation urges Canadian response to Palestinian humanitarian crisis

March 5, 2020

The KAIROS Church Leaders’ Delegation brings its findings on Palestine and Israel to Canadian MPs, March 9 and 10 (Ottawa, ON) – A group of church leaders urge the Canadian government to immediately address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Palestine…

Post filed in: Media Releases, Middle East

Report from the KAIROS delegation to Palestine and Israel last November

February 27, 2020

“Equality is the precondition to justice and peace will be the fruit.” The final report from the KAIROS delegation to Palestine and Israel last November is now available.  Delegates will be taking this report with them to Ottawa from March…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

Letter to the Editor: Trump’s peace plan for the Middle East should be rejected, says NGO

February 12, 2020

Re: “Trudeau should leave the fake diplomacy to Donald Trump,” (The Hill Times, Feb. 3, p. 4). KAIROS Canada urges the prime minister to publicly reject the U.S. president’s “Peace to Prosperity Plan” for Israel and Palestine, which contravenes international…

Post filed in: Middle East, Op Eds

KAIROS, member churches and partners call on Canada to publicly reject the U.S. administration’s “Peace to Prosperity Plan”

February 6, 2020

KAIROS joins member churches and ecumenical partners around the world in denouncing President Trump’s “Deal of the Century” or “Peace to Prosperity Plan” as a flagrant violation of international law that will entrench occupation and lead to greater suffering of…

Post filed in: Middle East

Lost Harvest, Seeds of Hope

December 20, 2019

By Lana Robinson Today included a visit to the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv, a kibbutz, to meet with an Israeli peace activist, and a meeting with The Coalition of Women for Peace. Today marks the International Day for the…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

A terrible beauty

December 20, 2019

By Paul Hansen After a week of profound experiences of occupation of a people, check points, human degradation, a formal liturgical moment was needed. I had come to name my experience of the first week in Palestine: A Terrible Beauty….

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East, Spirited Reflections

Learning from historical trauma at Yad Vashem

December 19, 2019

By Lori Ransom For most of the past 15 years, my work has focused on healing and reconciliation from the historical trauma suffered by Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools. This has led to a deep interest in how communities…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

No way to treat a child

December 18, 2019

By Helen Smith Yesterday when we visited Yad Vashem, the most difficult part for me was the sights and sounds of the children – in the ghettos and camps. Today began with a trip to Mehwar, a women’s shelter. The…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East

One Day: Three stories of resilience and self-determination

December 17, 2019

By Susan Johnson Story #1 from Qalqilya Our day started on the bus, again, but we travelled with Ramzi Zananari from International Christian Community, a founder of the Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR). As we drove, Ramzi described…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East