Shadi Khoury, the grandson of Sabeel’s co-founder Samia Khoury, recently had his court session to determine his sentence. The prosecution requested a sentence of four years in prison. The judge did not agree with the prosecution’s request and decided to postpone the verdict to a session scheduled for February 15. In the meantime, Shadi will remain free, despite the prosecution’s request to impose restrictive conditions. More details on Shadi’s case can be found on American Friends Service Committee’s website.
Trump recently held a signing ceremony for new members of the Peace Board, which he initially established to cement a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and then to help “rebuild Gaza,” despite the fact that no Palestinian is represented and Palestinians in Gaza continue to undergo displacement, siege, and violence. Putin and Netanyahu, both accused and wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes, were invited to the board, with Netanyahu accepting. Netanyahu did not attend the signing ceremony due to fear of arrest.
FOSNA’s Executive Director, Jonathan Kuttab, will be discussing the second edition of his book, “Beyond the Two State Solution” virtually via Zoom in Ontario on January 31st, 1pm. Learn more and register for the event with this link. (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/what-about-the-two-state-solution-tickets-1977749276325)
Sabeel lifts up in our prayers the devastating news from the United States, where masked ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officials are leashing violence on many communities throughout the country. In Minnesota in particular, state violence has resulted in deaths, most recently ICE’s killing of an ICU nurse named Alex Pretti who was helping a woman slammed to the ground. Several others have died while in ICE detention. This violence is not unfamiliar to us as Palestinians. Multiple investigative reports and activist investigations found that American law enforcement (including ICE) has long participated in training and exchange programs with Israeli security forces.
Liberator Christ, you too were mocked and harmed by the structures and authorities of power. Protect us from the authorities of power today, who through their cruelty and violence, dehumanize themselves. In the face of empire, we pray for your healing, justice, and peace that surpasses all human understanding. Help us build