Middle East
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
You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others…
December 13, 2019
(Matt. 5:14,16) By Andreas Thiel What sort of courageous people did we encounter today? Not an inappropriate question to pose, considering that each day in the West Bank brings us face to face with individuals and groups that yield fresh…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Middle East, Spirited Reflections
