Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

"With a growing sense of the interdependence and unity of all creation as central to an emerging world view, we feel compelled to stand in solidarity with those who suffer in a world characterized by fragmentation, violence and poverty." - IHM Constitutions, Affirmation 10   The Issue The ongoing conflict in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian Territories is a source of great concern for many people of faith. The rich religious heritage of Judaism, Islam and Christianity in the region makes the issue complex. Many innocent people have been killed on both sides of the struggle and both have violated international law. However, the violence by Israelis and Palestinians is not carried out in the same way. It does not have the same roots and the two sides are not culpable in the same way. What is described simply as violence in the Middle East cannot be understood without an understanding of what military occupation means. Palestinians in the territories have lived under Israeli military occupation since 1967. They are neither citizens of Israel nor of any state. They have no rights of protest or redress. Israeli violence is central to maintaining this occupation. It is carried out primarily by Israeli military forces and Israeli settlers in the occupied territories who are armed by the military. Its victims include some Palestinian militants and a large number of Palestinian civilians.  Palestinian violence is a violence of resistance, and has escalated as conditions of life breed greater desperation. It is carried out primarily by individual Palestinians and those linked to small armed factions, and is aimed mostly at military checkpoints, soldiers and settlers in the occupied territories. Beyond the general concern about human suffering, many in the United States have a special interest in events in the region because our government is by far the most dominant power there. The United States sends billions of dollars in aid to the region, including $4 billion in annual aid to Israel alone. Therefore, U.S. policy is crucial to achieving and maintaining a just and stable relationship between Israel and Palestine. IHMs in Action If you don't have Adobe Reader, you can download the latest version here. Bulldozers as Weapons The Geography of Occupation Infrastructure and Family Life Poems on Palestine    Prayer and Reflection Materials "Jewish and Palestinian Women: You and I are the Conscience" - Bat Shalom (PDF, 672 KB) "Jerusalem Peace Prayer Card" - Churches for Middle East Peace (PDF, 672 KB) "Worship Resource: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem" - Churches for Middle East Peace (PDF, 67 KB) "Season of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East" - from the National Council of Churches Resources "Learn More about the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict" - An annotated bibliography (PDF, 49 KB) Action You Can Take Oppose Increased Military Aid to the Middle East - Jewish Voice for Peace     Disclaimer regarding external links

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