Launch of new Irish Anti-Apartheid Campaign for Palestine
On Wednesday 30th November eighteen organisations concerned about justice for Palestine gathered in Merrion Square, Dublin, to launch the Irish Anti-Apartheid Campaign for Palestine. A letter in the Irish Times (30/11/22) and in the Irish Examiner (02/12/22) clearly spells out the aims of this new movement. Appropriately, the launch took place beside the Nelson Mandela tribute head. As South Africa threw off the system of apartheid, Mandela famously said that he would not be free until the Palestinians were free. South Africans who visit Palestine/Israel often describe what they see as ‘apartheid plus’. At least South Africa did not have ‘whites only roads’, and the townships were not bombed by jet fighters.
The Kairos Palestine dossier on apartheid summarises the various human rights reports that outline the Israeli version of apartheid. The book, ‘Apartheid South Africa! Apartheid Israel?’ by the anti-apartheid activist, Rev Brian Brown, is available from Kairos Ireland at a cost of €15 or £12. Contact Kairos Ireland at – kairosireland@gmail.com
Kairos Palestine – Christmas Alert 2022
The Kairos Palestine – Christmas Alert includes a declaration from the International Conference that took place on the 18th and 19th November in Beit Sahour. This points out the increasing international recognition of Israeli apartheid; an increase in settler violence and land theft in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and the muted response from the international community. The Alert points out that the first Christmas story took place against the background of an oppressive occupation by the Roman Empire. The Christmas story in Bethlehem this year continues to be set in the context of an ongoing occupation by Israel.
A virtual journey to Bethlehem
A twelve-minute long YouTube report on Al Jazeera focusses Bethlehem – the loss of land, the huge concrete walls and the declining Christian presence. The story is told through the eyes of the Rev Munther Isaac of the Bethlehem Lutheran ‘Christmas Church’. There is also a visit to the ‘Tent of Nations’ Palestinian farm near Bethlehem that is surrounded by hostile Israeli settlements. Daoud Nassar of the Tent of Nations was awarded the Methodist international peace prize several years ago for his continuing non-violent resistance to injustice. It is well worth watching this short video. It could well be included in Church services this Advent/Christmas time to illustrate the reality of Bethlehem today.
I wish you a peaceful Christmas as we remember those who live ‘in a land of deep darkness’ but who refuse to lose hope that the way of the ‘Prince of Peace’ will prevail.
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