From 7 to 15 January, Sabeel Jerusalem hosted a group of students from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary based in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. During their trip, the group of students witnessed for themselves the restrictions imposed on Palestinians living under Israeli occupation and learned about Palestinian Liberation Theology.
On Friday 27 January, Friends of Sabeel Australia led a one-hour workshop about Palestinian Liberation Theology at the Palestine Solidarity Conference in Australia. The Palestine Solidarity Conference was organized by a coalition of activists and organizations committed to building the movement for Palestine in Australia and New Zealand. The past few years have seen an increase in grassroots support for the Palestinian cause in Australia, and the Palestine Solidarity Conference has helped to solidify wins as a movement and achieve bigger and more sustainable impacts. The workshop provided an in-depth look into the experiences of Palestinian Christians and the approach of Palestinian Liberation Theology. Friends of Sabeel Australia is part of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN).
On Monday 23 January, the German Association of the Holy Land (DVHL) organized a meeting about the topic of interreligious dialogue in Palestine/Israel. Hana Bendcowski from the Jerusalem Center for Jewish – Christian Relations (JCJCR) gave a one-hour presentation on the relations between Christians and Jews in Israel. Afterward, different partners talked about interreligious dialogue from their own perspective. Sabeel presented the approach of Palestinian Liberation Theology in interfaith dialogue.
On Monday 23 January, Sabeel, in cooperation with the Catechetical Office of the Latin Patriarchate, Jerusalem, held a worship service for 10 Christian schools and almost 200 students. The service was held in the Melkite Church of Jerusalem. The event was part of the world week of prayer for Christian unity.
Diakonia hosted a delegation from Sweden with Members of the Parliament for an educational and political tour of Palestine/Israel. As part of the delegation’s visit, Diakonia hosted a reception with a number of organizations, including Sabeel. Fruitful discussions took place regarding how to challenge human rights violations and the importance of upholding human rights and international law.
On Monday 16 January, Sabeel organized a meeting between a number of leaders from the Protestant churches in the Netherlander and Palestinian Christian community in Jerusalem. In the meeting, we addressed the realities on the ground in the Holy Land, and the role of both local and international churches in witnessing for Christ and standing for the rights of all who are oppressed.
On Sunday 18 December, Sabeel participated in the ‘Christmas in Palestine’ event organized by Green Olive Tours. Sabeel discussed Christian Palestinian perspectives on liberation and theology and how Palestinians draw on Christian narratives and teachings as a source of resilience in the face of violent military occupation.
On Friday 16 December, Sabeel held its annual Christmas dinner. The Catholic Syrian Bishop, Yaacoub Camil Afram Antoine Semaan, delivered the Christmas message about joy and hope in the Middle East despite the pain and suffering of the current situation.
On Wednesday 7 December, Sabeel participated in the Third Annual Conference on Gender Justice from a National and Religious Perspective at the Carmel Hotel in Ramallah. The conference brought together specialists, community members, civil society organizations, and religious leaders to discuss women’s leadership and national laws and policies related to gender justice. It was organized as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Sabeel is proud to be a partner of the The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).
From Saturday 26 November through Tuesday 6 December, a delegation from Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) visited Palestine. The group held a 10-day witness visit in support of the Palestinian civil society organisations which have recently been raided and closed down by the Israeli authorities. The delegation aimed to address two challenges during their trip: the increasing human rights violations the Palestinian people are facing at the hands of the Israeli government, Israeli settlers, and the Palestinian Authority and the increased pressure on civil society groups which are challenging injustice and fighting for Palestine.
