Days of Palestine – Washington
Global Ministries, a North American Christian mission, has described Israel as an apartheid state, with the Palestinian people denied equal access to water, jobs, the ability to travel, etc.
“Israeli policies and practices that discriminate against Palestinians—Christians and Muslims alike—are consistent with the international definition of the crime of apartheid,” read a letter published by Global Ministries.
The letter was titled “Compelled to Witness”, and was signed by the denomination’s General Minister and President the Rev. Teresa Hord Owens; President of the Division of Overseas Ministries, Rev. LaMarco Cable; and Interim President of the Disciples Home Missions, Rev. Sheila Spencer.
“The continuing occupation, denial of rights and injustice that Palestinians endure is not consistent with our understanding of God’s vision for justice for all people, and therefore is sin,” the letter read. “As leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we must not be silent in the face of changes on the ground and further entrenched systemic factors… We are compelled to acknowledge and amplify the voices of our partners—in Israel/Palestine and around the world—and to witness to what we know and see.”
“What we see happening in Israel/Palestine clearly seems to fit the legal definition of apartheid as Palestinians do not have equal access to water, vaccines, jobs, the ability to travel, etc.,” according to the letter.
“No tangible positive changes in policy have materialized since the 2021 Israeli elections, with Israel signaling no intention to negotiate toward the realization of a Palestinian state, or to abide by international law, conventions, or UN resolutions and the US remaining inactive in addressing the deteriorating conditions,” the letter continued, adding that Israel failed to vaccinate the Palestinian population against COVID-19 while ensuring access to vaccines to its own citizens.
Earlier this month, Amnesty International released a milestone comprehensive report titled “Israel’s Apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime against Humanity.” The report set out how massive seizures of Palestinian land and property, unlawful killings, forcible transfer, drastic movement restrictions, and the denial of nationality and citizenship to Palestinians are all components of a system which amounts to apartheid under international law.
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