Calls & Statements

JAI calls for actions and statements on events and crisis. Calls got sent immediately to the YMCA-YWCA JAI partners and friends for actions and responses.

Why the Apartheid Framework?

Category: Calls & Statements
Created: 28 November 2017

JAI Logo NLThis year marks the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, the 70th anniversary of the Partition Plan, a half - century of one of the longest military occupations in modern history, and over 10 years of the siege on Gaza. As the world marks these commemorative moments or tries to rewrite or cover them up, we wish to bring to your attention two historic documents that were also produced this year. The first was a report produced by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) regarding "Israeli Practices towards the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid" and the second was an Open Letter from the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine (NCCOP) to the World Council of Churches and the Ecumenical Movement.

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres withdrew the ESCWA report two days after it was published under pressure from the United States and Israel. The Palestinian Human Rights Organization Council (PHROC) issued a position paper shortly after the report was withdrawn asking that the report be commended for setting the record straight about Israel’s apartheid policies, practices, and laws.

We, agree with the PHROC that the report's content presents a new approach in understanding how Israel has seized control over all aspects of Palestinian life leading to the establishment of an apartheid regime. We confirm what the report has detailed out that Israel is an apartheid state. This is not political but legal, as apartheid is a form of crime against humanity as defined under Article 7 of the Rome Statute.

The Open Letter from the NCCOP issued in June of this year also states the importance of recognizing Israel as an apartheid regime. The JAI is part of the NCCOP and thus, asks our partners to demonstrate "costly discipleship" by adopting a number of actions listed in the letter which include defending the Palestinian right to resist the occupation creatively and nonviolently and supporting economic measures against Israel until it "complies with international law and implementing UN resolutions urging the ending of its occupation, apartheid and discriminations, and accepting Palestinian refugees to return to their home land and properties."

What both reports have in common is the identification of apartheid and the necessity for people and states to make Israel accountable under international law. Apartheid is a crime against humanity and mandates our collective action.

 

 

Red Lines Crossed: Rebuke, Condemn, and Act

Category: Calls & Statements
Created: 07 December 2017

Call Dec2017Trump announced that the US will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. Embassy there in the future. This announcement not only removes the US as a mediator for peace but also ends the possibility of a two-state solution. In addition, it violates a host of international laws beginning with the Geneva Conventions that territory acquired through war is under a hostile military occupation. In addition, the Partition Plan of 1947 and the Oslo Accords affirmed that Jerusalem remain a Corpus Separatum until final agreements for peace could be negotiated which means its status should not be changed.

Trump’s announcement to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy also legitimizes the ongoing destruction of Palestinian homes, construction of illegal settlements, the forced transfer of its people, and the denial of rights including freedom of movement and education. In addition, this announcement emboldens pro-annexation extremists to seek Israeli sovereignty over all the holy sites and land.

JAI asks you, our partners working for a just peace, to condemn this unilateral action taken by the United States and demand that your country abide by international resolutions, laws, and conventions. We ask that you join with secular and faith leaders from around the world and with us to speak out against this immoral and illegal action. Demand your political leaders abide by international law and speak out not only for Palestinian rights but for the rule of law itself. Demand they attach actions to their statements.

Jerusalem, a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, must remain a shared city for all. During this season of the Advent of the Prince of Peace, we call upon you to stand with us for a just peace for all.

 

Open letter from NCCOP to the WCC

Category: Calls & Statements
Created: 12 June 2017

An Open letter from The National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine (NCCOP) to the World Council of Churches and the ecumenical movement

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. (Isa. 1:17)

Read / Downlaod the letter in PDF

 

Page 4 of 9