Letter to United Methodist Church

April 18, 2016

Rev. Dr. Susan Henry
General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church
100 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington, DC  20002

Dear Rev. Henry:

We write to you, together, as Palestinian-American Christians and Muslims and American Jews, to support the efforts of the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church in your work to align the values of your church with your investments and divest from the Israeli occupation. As sisters and brothers of faith who also work for justice and peace for the people of Palestine and Israel, we applaud your initiative and stand in solidarity with you.

We commend your commitment to advancing conversations and resolutions within the United Methodist Church that will provide a chance for more people of conscience to step forward to express outrage over the confiscation of Palestinian land, destruction of Palestinian farms and groves and homes, choking of the Palestinian economy, and daily harassment and collective punishment of Palestinians. In particular, we are heartened by the petitions you are submitting to the 2016 General Conference regarding divesting from Caterpillar, establishing a screen to remove and avoid investment in illegal settlements on occupied land, and other principled initiatives to foster peace with justice.

We support your efforts to divest from corporations that profit from or support Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the siege of Gaza. This work is an important part of a bigger project to bring about justice, equality, and freedom not just for Israelis and Palestinians, but for us all.

Sincerely,

Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace
Jewish Voice for Peace