TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PEACE IN ISRAEL AND IN PALESTINE

It takes many of us screaming: IT IS ENOUGH!, to end the turmoil. Why seek peace? Violence, death and destruction on the streets of Jerusalem bringing suffering to both Israelis and Palestinians Threats to Al-Aqsa Mosque generating anger among Muslims all over the world What happens in Jerusalem affects many people around the world. Negative actions will breed extremism Peace can result in harmony between all Christians, Muslims and Jews One hundred years of conflict, 50 years of occupation and 10 years of the blockade of Gaza is enough It takes many of us screaming: IT IS ENOUGH!, to end the turmoil.

1. DRAW ON YOUR SPIRITUAL RESOURCES

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty’.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.  Ephesians 6:12 Zechariah 4:6

2. Commit to justice and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians

3. EDUCATE YOURSELF

Learn the facts Examine the claims Beware of false assumptions Look at the maps Study UN resolutions Follow what is happening on the ground Get your news from reliable sources. (Haarets, Al-Monitor. Jewish Voices for Peace and your denominational news letters.)

The Arab (Saudi) Peace Initiative 2002 The initiative calls for normalizing relations between the Arab region and Israel, in exchange for a full withdrawal by Israel from the occupied territories (including East Jerusalem) and a "just settlement" of the Palestinian refugee problem based on UN Resolution 194.

The Israeli Dilemma! Most Israelis (over 80 %) are against the one-state solution. Most Israeli leaders are against a two-state solution. This is an Israeli dilemma, a Palestinian nightmare and a challenge to the peacemaker.

4. Get the bottom line

The Bottom Line (s) Palestinians want to end the conflict because they have the most to gain from signing a peace agreement with Israel. The Israeli government is trapped in the grip of fanatic right wing Israeli ideologues who prefer the acquisition of land in the West Bank to making peace with Palestinians. The US is unable to broker peace between Israelis and Palestinians because US lawmakers abide by the dictates of AIPAC (American-Israeli Political Action Committee) which supports the radical policies of the Israeli right.

5. CONFRONT INJUSTICE

The Kairos Palestine Document A Call to All Churches The Kairos Palestine Document

NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE Ended British Colonial Rule in India Terminated the South African Apartheid regime Affected the collapse of the former Soviet Union Contributed to the Success of the Civil Rights movement in the USA

BDS boycott, divestment and sanctions Why I support BDS: Ilan Peppe’ Gideon Levy

Since Israeli Government officials keep blurring the border line between the West Bank and Israel, they should not object when the BDS movement blurs the line.

6. EDUCATE GRASSROOT AMERICA

Methodists: UMKR (United Methodists for Kairos Response) Americans have the right to know The Church has a unique mandate to educate since the church is called to be a peacemaker and a reconciler Methodists: UMKR (United Methodists for Kairos Response)

7. CHALLENGE CHRISTIAN ZIONISM

Christian Zionism by Gary Burge Christian Zionism is the wedding of theology and politics that has been in vogue for over 100 years. It believes that the modern secular State of Israel is a continuation of Biblical Israel and that today’s Israel enjoys political and spiritual privileges not shared by any other nation on earth

John Hagee, AIPAC Policy Conference, March 11, 2007 “America should not pressure Israel to give up land and America must never pressure Israel to divide the City of Jerusalem.”

Christian Zionist Convictions The current conflict in the Middle East is caused by Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims who are out of touch with the will of God as it concerns the Land of Israel.

THE TWO COVENANTS CHART OF COMPARISION NATION LAND CITY TEMPLE PRIESTHOOD SACRIFICE THE OLD COVENANT LEVITICAL ISRAEL PROMISED LAND JERUSALEM TEMPLE MOUNT - ZION ANIMAL THE NEW COVENANT IN CHRIST ALL BELIEVERS KINGDOM OF GOD NEW JERUSALEM HEARTS OF BELIEVERS CHRIST & BELIEVERS JESUS CHRIST

Who are Christian Zionists? Political Power of Christian Zionism How to interact with CZ With love and humility Explain that there is a Biblical Alternative to Christian Zionism Help them focus on Jesus and his teachings rather on their eschatological expectations Christ at the Checkpoint, Bethlehem, OK

8. ENGAGE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Anti Gaza Blockade Bill? Anti BDS bill Anti Gaza Blockade Bill?

People Congress

9. RESPOND IMMEDIATELY

Foul! A recipe for failure What is common about Trump's choice for US Israeli/Palestinian peace negotiators? All Jewish millionaires and billionaires All support Jewish settlements in the West Bank All friends of the Israeli Prime Minister One of them openly supports the move of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. With these appointments is it conceivable that the US is able to broker a just peace agreement with the Palestinians? How would the Israeli Prime Minister and AIPAC respond if Trump appointed three Palestinian/Americans to lead the negotiations with the exclusion of Jewish envoys?

10. ACT TO ELIVIATE SUFFERING AND STAY HOPEFUL

Signs of Hope Many young people in the US are getting their news from the electronic media and are more eager for peace than a blind support for the State of Israel.

Signs of Hope Many Israelis and Jews are fed up with the policies of the current Israeli government and some are becoming the strongest advocates of Palestinian rights.

Signs of Hope Internationally, and especially after the Gaza war, Israel has become isolated. Many countries who are close friends of Israel are ready to recognize a Palestinian state.

138 Countries Recognize Palestinian Statehood

Signs of Hope Most Palestinians, including their President Mahmud Abbas, have committed to non-violent methods to resist the illegal occupation of their land.

Signs of Hope Churches in the US, including some evangelical churches, are increasingly focusing on issues of justice rather than their historic interpretations of Biblical prophecies when dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.