WE CALL OUT GENOCIDE

Adopted by PPF April, 2025

Since 1944, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has been championing the nonviolent teachings of Jesus, calling for prophetic action against violence, exploitation, and war. Since 2004, the Palestine Justice Network (formerly Israel Palestine Mission Network) has been advocating for a just peace in Israel and Palestine. The General Assembly of the PCUSA has taken a clear stance since 1949 that Israel cannot continue to take land from Palestine and that all people in the region deserve safety. 1

We, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, stand alongside our Presbyterian siblings and the many other organizations working towards a just peace in Palestine and Israel. We call for the renunciation of Christian Zionism, an end to apartheid practices by the state of Israel, and the ceasing of US sponsored genocide of the Palestinian people.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been wounded, maimed, and killed, most of whom are women and children. Not only have thousands been killed, but the devastation to homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure is incalculable. Israel has repeatedly blocked food, aid, and humanitarian supplies from entering the ravaged Palestinian lands. We raise our voice against such brutality, against the wanton and indiscriminate killing. This is genocide.

The United States government is providing the offensive weapons being used against civilians. Our tax dollars are being used to kill and maim, supporting and enabling genocide, making us complicit in this atrocity. Jesus teaches us, “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

WE WORK FOR ALL PEOPLE

All people deserve safety and security from war and violence. For decades, Israel has enforced an apartheid system of injustice on almost every facet of Palestinian life. The PCUSA has recognized Israel as an apartheid state. 2 Israelis can never have the security they long for and deserve until Palestinians receive justice and this apartheid system is dismantled.

We stand against all forms of Antisemitism/Anti-Jewish prejudice and Islamophobia/Anti-Arab prejudice. We condemn both as pernicious forms of evil that divide and separate us from our interfaith siblings and resolve to stand with those who are threatened with harm that would inhibit their full participation in the life and liberty of all of our communities. Christian Zionism is the ideology driving US support for this genocide and the ongoing apartheid practices. It is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus, and it is rejected by the PCUSA. 3 We, as people of faith in a God who stands with the powerless, reject the racist and bigoted view of Christian Zionism, a view that does not care how many Muslim, Jewish, or Christian people have to die to bring about the second coming. It is all of our responsibility to speak up whenever and wherever we see signs of genocide. As people of faith, we are speaking up.

CALL TO ACTION

Despite talk of ceasefire and peace, we know that the Palestinian people are not safe. For there to be long-lasting peace, there must be justice. We are called to act. The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship calls “all Christian communities… to embrace gospel nonviolence as the only stance consistent with Christian discipleship [and to] invite all persons of good will, and especially followers of Jesus, to work with us in projects aimed at building peace” (PPF’s “What We Believe”)

Teach, Preach, Take Risks: It is important for the church to lead with our values: compassion, peace, justice, care for the afflicted, love of our neighbor. If we choose to ignore genocidal harm, we undermine our core values. But when we take risks for our faith and proclaim our values in the public square, we are also boldly proclaiming the gospel of love, justice, compassion, and peace. Find some preaching support here: www.hosannapreachingproject.com

Stop Arming Israel: Take action to halt the sale of US weapons to Israel. It is not enough to offer our thoughts and prayers for the people of Palestine. Our faith must become a verb. One way to do this is to communicate with our elected officials using the PCUSA Office of Public Witness website: Take Action: Call on the US Congress to Block Sales of Military Aid to Israel. See www.votervoice.net/mobile/PCUSA/Campaigns/118421/Respond

Participate in the BDS Movement: We encourage everyone to participate in the nonviolent and Palestinian-led Boycott, Divest, and Sanction movement (BDS). Our church “urges divestment and/or proscription of some corporations and governments due to their involvement in military-related production… human rights violations… prolonged military occupation...” For decades, the PCUSA has been using divestment as a mode of economic pressure to move powerful institutions to change their practices. Recognizing the success of BDS to end South African apartheid, we believe this nonviolent strategy can provide the pressure to force Israel to comply with international law. Congregations, presbyteries, and synods have investments that can be used to join the BDS movement. Learn more at www.thepjn.org

Pray: We believe that our solidarity will be solid and long-lasting only when our actions are undergirded by prayer:

PPF Palestinian Solidarity Working Group 5 God of justice, we remember Christ’s journey to the cross and his call to stand with the oppressed. Holy Spirit, lead us in repentance from complicity and into the work of love and liberation. May we walk the path of the cross in solidarity with those suffering, trusting in your power to bring healing and justice to the broken. Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer

This statement, "We Call Out Genocide," was written by PPF’s new Palestine Solidarity Working Group and approved by the PPF Executive Committee in early April 2025.