Solidarity with Palestine grows more urgent with each passing day that the genocide continues to unfold in Gaza and the West Bank. This summer, the Pacific Mountain Region passed a proposal to become a member of the Apartheid-Free Communities movement, in which:
WE AFFIRMÂ our commitment to freedom, justice, and equality for the Palestinian people and all people;
WE OPPOSEÂ all forms of racism, bigotry, discrimination, and oppression; and
WE DECLAREÂ ourselves an Apartheid-free community and to that end,
WE PLEDGE to join others in working to end all support to Israel’s Apartheid regime, settler colonialism, and military occupation.
As part of this pledge, we have also committed to nourishing dialogue around the Apartheid-Free Communities movement, education on apartheid and anti-semitism, and direct, coordinated action to pressure governments, industry and society to end the genocide.
This Advent devotional released in 2024 by Red Letter Christians features the voices of Palestinian Christians as they reflect on solidarity, the promise of God in “Emmanuel”, and how we as part of the wider Christian community are urged to respond. Beginning or sustaining your learning and advocacy journey rooted in these reflections on the call to solidarity that is the Incarnation, is a wonderful way to engage. Download Reflections from Bethlehem: An Advent Devotional at the Red Letter Christians Website.
The Red Candle: Light for Palestine campaign officially begins on November 29th, a day before Advent, on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The first red candle will be lit on November 29th in Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth, initiating a month of red-candle lighting, prayer and reflection. There are reflections for each Sunday in Advent for your candle lighting, and then a world-wide candle lighting “The Mighty Flame” on December 23rd. A beautiful way to connect your advocacy here at home with communities in Palestine and the world over.
The Apartheid-Free Communities website has many suggestions of what you and your Community of Faith or Justice Group might do to lift up Palestine during Advent and at other times of the year. They suggest using FOSNA (Friends of Sabeel North America) prayer resources during your services and candle lightings. Other Communities of Faith in our region are holding special advent worship services focused on Solidarity with Palestine and the calls for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel.