The United Church of Canada has long stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people as they have struggled for decades, and continue to struggle for justice and against the oppressive occupation of their lands by a colonial force. We continue to call for peace in Palestine and Israel, and continue to work in all the ways that we can to bring the world closer to this peaceful reality.
We know this struggle is linked to ours here in Canada: the struggle of Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island against illegal occupation of their lands and the deep harms done to past and present generations in the name of colonization.
As such, the Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church of Canada urges the Government of Canada to do everything in its power to bring an end to the conflict and to not be complicit in genocide and famine. We need Canada to act on three fronts:
- First, a permanent ceasefire is essential to allow for safe delivery of critical humanitarian relief into Gaza—food, medicine, potable water—and also to create conditions for a just and lasting peace and basic human dignity in the region.
So, we call on Canada to use all diplomatic channels and leverage points to secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and for Canada to implement a comprehensive and binding arms embargo.*
- Second, humanitarian aid—including from The United Church of Canada Mission and Service partners—needs to reach those in need, urgently and abundantly.
So, we call on Canada to use all diplomatic, political and economic channels and leverage points to urge Israel to ensure safe passage of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Canada should also increase its aid envelope and help support refugees.
- Third, we must support building the conditions for a just and lasting peace—where safety, respect for rights, justice, and human dignity is safeguarded for all.
So, we call on Canada to support international efforts to hold all parties accountable for violations of international law to make sure this situation never repeats itself, and to commit to long-term engagement in the region. Canada has a legal and moral duty to do everything in its power to prevent acts of genocide and avoid complicity in any such acts, because it is a signatory to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Pacific Mountain Region is committed to providing leadership in education, advocacy and action to support efforts for peace and justice for Palestine and Israel.
The Pacific Mountain Regional Council and PalNet Pacific are strong supporters of justice of Palestinian people.
Follow @PalNetPacific on Facebook.
Prayers, Hymns and Liturgical Resources
- UCC Prayer for Peace in the Middle East
- UCC Prayer for Peace with Justice in Israel/Palestine
- Canadian Council of Churches Rooted in Truth, Compassion and Justice: A Prayer for Peace When Words Fail
- World Day of Prayer: Ecumenical Christian Palestinian Women worship resources
- Will you Grieve for Gaza hymn by Rev. Juanita Austin
- Oh Town of Bethlehem hymn by Rev. Juanita Austin
Pastoral Letters and Calls to Action
- October 7th, 2023 Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine
- November 18th, 2023 UCC General Council Letter to PM Trudeau
- April 17th, 2024 Pastoral Letter from Moderator Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne
- April 29th, 2024 Pentecost Message form Moderator Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne
- May 8th, 2024 Pastoral Letter from PMR Justice Minister Dr. Kendra Mitchell-Foster
Unsettling Hewlett Packard - Pacific Mountain Proposal Approved
In June 2023, the gathered membership of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council voted YES to the Proposal "Unsettling Hewlett Packard” calling for The Pacific Mountain Region and its member faith communities divest from or cease any activity/ investment/ purchase agreements that support Hewlett Packard. Further the proposal asks that Pacific Mountain Region request that the General Council of The United Church of Canada add Hewlett Packard specifically to the "UnSettling Goods Campaign of The United Church of Canada".
Cry for Hope - Pacific Mountain Proposal Approved
In June 2021, the gathered membership of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council voted YES to the Proposal "A Living Commitment to the Kairos Palestine Cry for Hope Action. Read the passed Proposal here.
Actions and Updates
Week of Solidarity with Palestine is May 15- 22, 2024
Full details about PMR Justice: Week of Solidarity with Palestine May 15th – 22nd, 2024 in the May 2024 PMR Justice Newsletter.
United Church of Canada’s ACT NOW page provides a platform for information, advocacy tools, and partnering organizations that you can connect with.
Write your MP! Take action and use the UCC’s letter-writing tool to urge your elected representatives to pressure the Canadian Government to act
Donate to support Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel through the UCC secure donation portal
Additional Links:
Cry for Hope is Kairos Palestine's call for action
The United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine/Israel (UNJPPI) is a national network of people associated with the United Church of Canada.
Stand Up for Palestinian Children’s Rights is a broad based cross-Canada planning committee, in collaboration with the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP).
Kairos Canada’s Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage page welcomes all who would like to undertake a local pilgrimage, as well as further advocacy and actions
Jewish Voice for Peace – actions, events, information, and resources for films and on the Nakba
Arms Embargo Now is calling people together to demand the Canadian government impose a full, immediate arms embargo on Israel. Join the call, use their advocacy tools, and find their FAQs on their website
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East highlights actions, information and advocacy, and welcomes the start-up of local chapters
Ploughshares Project details information about the importance of an arm-embargo
Recordings
Arrest and Detention of Palestinian Children ~ Webinar
There are hundreds of Palestinian children in detention in Israeli jails – some as young as 12 or 13. Reverend Dr. Dorcas Gordon and Reverend Kathy Bergen will talk with two experts on the ground in Jerusalem – one Palestinian and one Israel about the situation.
Imagine heavily armed soldiers breaking into your home at 2 am, dragging your teenager out of bed and taking him off to be interrogated! Hundreds of Palestinian children are arrested in this way every year by the Israeli military. Many on “suspicion” of stone throwing which can bring a sentence of up to 10 years in jail. Their parents can also be arrested. In custody the children may be subjected to physical and/or psychological torture to reveal the names of their friends. The conviction rate of the children is 99%.
Canadians Kathy Bergen and Dorcas Gordon interviewed
- Salwa Dubais from Military Court Watch will tell us about the impact on Palestinian families and the difficulties teens face after their imprisonment.
- Dani Shenhar from HaMoked: Center for the Defenceof the Individual (an Israeli human rights organization assisting Palestinians of the occupied territories whose rights are violated due to Israel’s policies) will explain the difference in laws
This webinar was organized by “Stand Up for Palestinian Children’s Rights”, a broad based cross-Canada planning committee, in collaboration with the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP).
The United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine/Israel (UNJPPI) – a national network of people associated with the United Church of Canada – was one of the planners for this webinar.
How to Lobby Your MP to Advocate for Children’s Rights in Palestine ~ Workshop
This FREE online workshop with Libby Davies offered participants the hands-on tools for lobbying your federal Member of Parliament, to advocate for a Special Envoy appointment to Israel. View the recording of this workshop here.