Political and military plans and actions  imposed by Israel and its allies, esp. USA, on  indigenous Palestinians and the State of Palestine do not result in truth, justice, or peace.   They produce more suffering by means of bombing and shooting of children and their parents, the denial of food and clean water and other necessities of life, the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, churches and other essential infrastructure for fully human existence.   

In fact, although the Palestinian people are the targets for all this, any plans for ceasefire and reparations omit the involvement of Palestinians - as if they exist as targets for killing or homeless people for displacement.   There is no room in the Israeli plan for Palestinian self-determination and fundamental human rights.  There is no will to honour Palestinian rights to life in their ancestral lands - they are ethnically cleansed out, they are displaced to alien settings, they are massacred without mercy, they are starved to death.  No place for self-determination, let along "right of return."

Given this intractable reality, and given the laments and cries for solidarity of Palestinians,  faithful people remember to rely on spiritual practices drawing on the divine Spirit to transform individuals, collectivities, institutions, and nations - and to be transformed themselves.

As a step in that direction, a solidarity team for Palestine invites you to participate in vigil practices (initiated in October by a team led by UCC Moderator Kim Heath), in a three-session Advent vigil entitled "Pause, Pray, Disrupt". 

In 30 minutes, each vigil will include silence, prayer, song, readings of scripture and wisdom, and collective sharing for further action.  You are invited.  The link to register is on the poster in the QR code or us this link  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82996346261  or   by typing the following link in your browser:   bit.ly/4o74Byi   .

Advent blessings,

A H Harry Oussoren

for the planning group

PS:   The vigil sessions will be recorded and the link sent out same day to registrants.   You may find them helpful as you plan Advent vigils or conversations in local groups or faith communities.