PALESTINE ISRAEL NETWORK

Together with the UCC Palestine Israel Network (UCCPIN) and other like-minded regional networks, the Central Atlantic Conference (CAC) Palestine Israel Network (PIN) has as its ultimate goal bringing God’s peace, freedom and justice to the geographic area that has been known for centuries as the Holy Land and/or Palestine. To achieve this goal, we will work to educate, to engage, and to encourage relevant and positive actions by associations, congregations and individual congregants within the Conference, while seeking additional allies both within and outside the UCC.

All elements of any educational, engagement, and/or mobilization process are to be grounded in shared beliefs that we are now living in a unique but fleeting time of opportunity (Kairos), that God’s will and ways require of any ultimate solution both reconciliation of and equal justice for all people living in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, or in exile therefrom, and that any goals and methods employed in the interim must be concerted, strong and non- violent. We rely upon faith, hope and all-encompassing love as defined and lived by Jesus of Nazareth to guide its decision-making and its actions.

Our History & Purpose

The UCC has a decades-long history of justice-seeking and public witness in the Middle East. UCCPIN was formed in 2012 with the assistance of many dedicated justice leaders and clergy from CAC. Our justice leaders, clergy and local churches have offered leadership over the years by sponsoring resolutions of witness at UCC General Synod and engaging in justice action in our region.

CACPIN is an issue-based network of the Justice & Witness Action Network and works to organize and mobilize justice leaders, clergy, and local churches across the Network to take action to implement UCC resolutions. The UCC 2021 General Synod Resolution, “Declaration for a Just Peace between Palestine and Israel” is viewed by our Palestinian mission partners as a model for the global ecumenical community.

We support and promote:

  • Right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes or to choose compensation for the loss of their properties, consistent with Resolution 194 adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948;

  • Human rights of Palestinian children and families through advocacy for legislation such as H.R.3103 and educational campaigns such as the No Way to Treat a Child campaign of the Defense for Children-Palestine organization;

  • Freedom of speech, right to boycott and to join the international BDS movement;

  • Advocating for the end of US military aid to Israel ($3.8 billion a year) until Israel ends its occupation and apartheid practices and until Palestinian human rights, civil rights, and self-determination are fully realized and protected; and

  • Calling out other connections between unjust US policies abroad and unjust practices at home.

UCC General Synod Resolutions of Witness

GS 2021: Declaration for a Just Peace between Palestine and Israel

GS 2017: A Call for the United Church of Christ to Advocate for the Rights of Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation

GS 2015: A Call for the United Church of Christ to Take Actions Toward a Just Peace in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

History of Palestinian & Israeli Conflict

Palestinian Loss of Land Over Time

Organizations Supporting Palestinian Human Rights

The United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network affirms the dignity and sacredness of all people, stands against oppression and injustice, and works for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of more than 30 national Church communions and organizations working to encourage U.S. policies that actively promote just, lasting, and comprehensive resolutions to conflicts in the Middle East.

Global Ministries is the common witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Global Ministries has a long history of engagement in the Middle East and partners with many institutions in the area.

Kairos Palestine is a Christian Palestinian movement, born out of the Kairos Document, which advocates for ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a just solution to the conflict.

The US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) is part of a global movement in solidarity with the Palestinian people.  USCPR  works to stop US support for Israel until it ends its denial of Palestinian rights.

Jewish Voice for Peace is the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world. We’re organizing a grassroots, multiracial, cross-class, intergenerational movement of U.S. Jews into solidarity with the Palestinian freedom struggle, guided by a vision of justice, equality, and dignity for all people.