[The following infographics were originally published by Visualizing Palestine.]
“We see boycott and disinvestment as tools of non-violence for justice, peace, and security for all.”
—Kairos Palestine Document
Each of the churches in this visual have taken actions such as: divesting from specific companies that profit off of Israel’s human rights abuses; implementing a rights-conscious investment screen; supporting the strategic boycott of Israeli products; or calling for an end to US military aid to Israel. While this visual focuses on decisions made at the higher levels of church leadership, numerous congregations have taken action at the local level, too. For example, dozens of congregations have pledged to go HP-free, due to HP’s role in providing the Israeli military with technology, equipment, and services it uses to abuse Palestinian human rights.
“We ask our sister Churches not to offer a theological cover-up for the injustice we suffer.”
—Kairos Palestine Document
In July of 2017, Vice President Mike Pence told attendees at the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) summit, “my passion for Israel springs from my Christian faith.” Christian Zionism indeed offers a “theological cover-up” for oppression, and is an influential force in sustaining US support for Israeli policy. The actions of Christian groups highlighted in this visual provide a powerful theological alternative, one focused on the values of love, compassion, and justice Christians see exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus.
“We call on you...to take a position of truth with regard to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.”
—Kairos Palestine Document
Palestinian Christians are members of some of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Like Palestinians of all faiths or no faith, they have lived under Israel’s military occupation for more than half a century, and their lives, communities, and heritage sites have been degraded by Israeli policy.
“Let us together try to rise up.”
—Kairos Palestine Document, in a section addressing Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders
We highlight Christian solidarity and the voices of Palestinian Christians in this visual to deepen international understanding of elements of Palestinian civil society that are often intentionally overlooked. Israel’s oppression of Palestinians impacts all Palestinians: Muslims, Christians, atheists, LGBTQ+ people, the economically disadvantaged, women, people with disabilities, children, and more. Solidarity brings us together as allies across lines of faith, race, class, geography, and identity in pursuit of justice for everyone.
On this note of love and indivisible justice, we are closing our Growth of a Movement series (for now). We started releasing this collection in February to highlight enduring tactics of collective action and moments of impact in the movement for Palestinian human rights. We hope that you felt as much hope in viewing these stories as we felt in creating them and that each of you will continue to contribute in whatever way you can to the realization of the next step, the next story, the next action inching us closer to justice.
What faith-based organizers are saying about VP visuals:
“Visualizing Palestine is one of most innovative and direct ways of messaging and educating about the history, economics, human rights, and international law violations during the decades of occupation and colonization in Palestine. I am using the visuals as part of materials in teaching unit on the history of colonization in Palestine in a faith-based setting.” Affiliate of Global Kairos for Justice in Palestine, March 2019
“Visualizing Palestine is one of most innovative and direct ways of messaging and educating about the history, economics, human rights and international law violations during the decades of occupation and colonization in Palestine. I’m using the visuals as part of materials in teaching unit on the history of colonization in Palestine in a faith-based setting.” Affiliate of Global Kairos for Justice in Palestine, March 2019
“VP visuals are arresting, and they capture important elements of the story in a creative and engaging way. Part of our mission is to educate Americans about the reality on the ground in Israel/Palestine. We screen films, host speakers, teach classes, and engage in other activities toward that end. These visuals help with that.” Member of a Presbyterian Church congregation in TX, USA, January 2019
“We report on the human rights violations that occur in Hebron on a daily basis. We find VP visuals impactful, stimulating, and able to tell a story that you cannot always tell in words.” Member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, October 2018
“Planning an exhibit for thirty thousand youth at Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's youth gathering. The exhibit is created by the ELCA's Peace Not Walls campaign. We used VP visuals in 2015 for the same event. The visuals are essential because they are visually compelling and encourage people to read more and ask questions.” Member of Evangelical Lutheran Church, TX, USA, May 2018
“I am a Black pastor who went to Palestine and was touched by the connections between the plight of Palestinians and that of Black Americans. I often come to Visualizing Palestine for inspiration on how to share complex realities in simple ways. Thank you for your work.” Member of Mennonite Church, IN, USA, January 2018
